Lamentations

Five poems of grief over the fall of Jerusalem. They pour out raw sorrow and confession, and at their centre hold on to hope: the Lord’s mercies are new every morning.

Author

Traditionally Jeremiah

Written

Soon after 586 BC

Chapters

1. 1Lamentations 1Jerusalem sits alone like a widow, with no one to comfort her.
2. 2Lamentations 2God has brought judgment on his city in his anger.
3. 3Lamentations 3The poet’s personal suffering turns to hope: “His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
4. 4Lamentations 4The horrors of the siege, and the end of the punishment.
5. 5Lamentations 5A final prayer: “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return.”