Lam 5 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-16 Is any afflicted? Let him pray; and let him in prayer pour out his complaint to God. The people of God do so here; they complain not of evils feared, but of evils felt. If penitent and patient under what we suffer for the sins of our fathers, we may expect that He who punishes, will return in mercy to us. They acknowledge, Woe unto us that we have sinned! All our woes are owing to our own sin and folly. Though our sins and God's just displeasure cause our sufferings, we may hope in his pardoning mercy, his sanctifying grace, and his kind providence. But the sins of a man's whole life will be punished with vengeance at last, unless he obtains an interest in Him who bare our sins in his own body on the tree.

‏ Lamentations 5

* The Jewish nation supplicating the Divine favour.

1-16 Is any afflicted? Let him pray; and let him in prayer pour

out his complaint to God. The people of God do so here; they

complain not of evils feared, but of evils felt. If penitent and

patient under what we suffer for the sins of our fathers, we may

expect that He who punishes, will return in mercy to us. They

acknowledge, Woe unto us that we have sinned! All our woes are

owing to our own sin and folly. Though our sins and God's just

displeasure cause our sufferings, we may hope in his pardoning

mercy, his sanctifying grace, and his kind providence. But the

sins of a man's whole life will be punished with vengeance at

last, unless he obtains an interest in Him who bare our sins in

his own body on the tree. 17-22 The people of God express deep concern for the ruins of

the temple, more than for any other of their calamities. But

whatever changes there are on earth, God is still the same, and

remains for ever wise and holy, just and good; with Him there is

no variableness nor shadow of turning. They earnestly pray to

God for mercy and grace; Turn us to thee, O Lord. God never

leaves any till they first leave him; if he turns them to him in

a way of duty, no doubt he will quickly return to them in a way

of mercy. If God by his grace renew our hearts, he will by his

favour renew our days. Troubles may cause our hearts to be

faint, and our eyes to be dim, but the way to the mercy-seat of

our reconciled God is open. Let us, in all our trials, put our

whole trust and confidence in his mercy; let us confess our

sins, and pour out our hearts before him. Let us watch against

repinings and despondency; for we surely know, that it shall be

well in the end with all that trust in, fear, love, and serve

the Lord. Are not the Lord's judgments in the earth the same as

in Jeremiah's days? Let Zion then be remembered by us in our

prayers, and her welfare be sought above every earthly joy.

Spare, Lord, spare thy people, and give not thine heritage to

reproach, for the heathen to rule over them.