Lamentations 1-5

“The LORD gave full vent to his wrath; he poured out his hot anger, and he kindled a fire in Zion” (4:11). Lamentations is a cry of sadness over the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. Though godly prophets had warned the people of Judah that their sins were angering God, their leaders, priests, and false prophets ignored God’s Word until it was too late. The Babylonians swept into the land with terrible violence. Lamentations also, however, declares that God’s mercy is “new every morning” (3:23).

“I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end” (3:21-22). Sinful choices produce painful consequences in our lives, but God’s mercy still prevails.