The final lamentation. As I understand it, this was not an acrostic, but a creative variation of a similar format. Still 22 verses.
My Ryrie Study Bible (NASB95) titled this section, The Prayer For the People.
The first 18 verses are labeled CONFESSION
Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us;
look, and see our disgrace! Lamentations 5:1
This verse 1 opens the prayer and starts with a cry for the situation.
- strangers have our inheritance
- aliens have our houses
- we're orphans without a father
- our mothers are widows
- we now have to pay for basics like water and food
- we are being pursued and we're worn out
- we are humiliated to have to get bread from Egypt and Assyria
Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
and we bear their iniquities. Lamentations 5:7
This is an interesting verse. I don't think Jeremiah is arguing that his generation didn't sin quite enough to deserve all that happened. But his generation did receive their sin from their fathers, specifically, Manasseh. Our sins affect others, including multiple generations of our children.
His description of the afflictions and disgrace continue.
- slave rule over us
- we have no deliverer
- even getting bread is risky because of the sword in the wilderness
- famine is breaking down our bodies
- daughters raped; princes hung; elders disrespected
- the work has become very difficult, with men having to do women's work
- daily routines of life are gone
- joy is gone
The joy of our hearts has ceased;
our dancing has been turned to mourning. Lamentations 5:15
Dancing has turned to mourning and the music stopped. That is such a specific observation in this list of grievances. Our arts and recreation are an excellent signs of the quality of life. When we find signs of recreation and music in ancient civilizations tells us how important they are. They are also forms of worship before the Lord (music and dancing). Losing them shows how far apart the people were from their Lord.
The crown has fallen from our head;
woe to us, for we have sinned! Lamentations 5:16
This verse, verse 16, seems to be an excellent summary of the situation. The summary continues through verse 18. The previous description list has led to faint hearts, dim eyes, a desolate Mount Zion (Jerusalem)—foxes prowl the city now.
NASB titled the final section, PETITION.
A move from the prayer to the petition, the model given to us in Philippians 4:6-7.
Most of the prophets, and even Jeremiah in the book of Jeremiah, tend to bend the curve to hope, even if the majority of the prayer is negative. This lamentation, and the whole book. ends in despair.
The Lord will rule for every, across all generations. Why do you still forget us and continue to forsake us?
Restore us, Lord. Renew us to the days of old.
Unless you have utterly rejected us with exceeding anger toward us.
But if one wants to find hope, even amid the despair, I consider it faithful that Jeremiah continued to cry out to the Lord and called on God's character in his despair. He remained faithful to the Lord, even amid the horrific circumstances. He saw no way for the situation to improve, but he still honored the lord and believed God could change His mind and save them.
Which was true.
Jeremiah would weep to know that Jerusalem and His people would still be in tact today.
To God be the glory. Amen.