Bible Commentaries
Lamentations 1

Verses 1-22

Lamentations 1:1 How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!

Lamentations 1:1 “she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary” - Comments - The nation of Israel had went from the greatest nation on earth to slavery during the time of Solomon’s reign, from being a leader to becoming a servant of Egypt and then Babylon, paying these empires heavy tributes.

RWebster, “and princess among the provinces, how is she become a forced labourer!”

Lamentations 1:1 Comments In the midst of her destruction, Jerusalem first reflects upon her past glories, perhaps remembering the glorious years of King Solomon when Israel was the wealthiest nation on earth. When we sit down with someone who has lost much, we will quickly hear this person reflecting upon his most glorious years.

Lamentations 1:2 She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

Lamentations 1:2 Comments As a backslider, she chose friends that were not true friends, but people who were using her and exploiting her. Having lived overseas for years in the mission field, and leaving the Judeo-Christian culture of the rural United States, I discovered that cleverness and deceit were the norm in most cultures. Even in marriage, partners were often not sincere. People’s motives were not genuine. Relationships were formed for the purpose of taking from others. My wife and I had to be careful whom we considered friends. Thus, Israel strayed into this culture of deceit and found friends that took from her, rather than helped her.

Lamentations 1:3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.

Lamentations 1:4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.

Lamentations 1:4 Comments The Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) reveal that the Jewish pilgrims sang and worshipped as they ascended Mount Zion during the festive seasons. In contrast, Lamentations 1:4 reveals that Israel now ascends those same paths towards Jerusalem, and seeing its destruction, they weep and mourn at this horrible sight.