Question 1

What is happening to Jerusalem in this passage and why is there so much sorrow?

Accepted Answer

These poems describe Jerusalem after it has been ruined and its people taken away as captives. The city that used to be full of people, worship, and joy is now lonely, burned, and mocked by enemies. The writer keeps saying that this is not random, but the result of many sins and long‑ignored warnings. God has allowed enemies to come in, tear down the temple, stop the feasts, and scatter the people. The sorrow is so deep because they remember how good it used to be and know they helped cause their own ruin.

Question 2

Why is Jerusalem pictured as a widow and a lonely woman with no comforter?

Accepted Answer

Jerusalem is spoken of like a woman who has lost her husband and children. Once she was like a princess among the nations, with many friends and allies. Now she sits alone, like a widow, with no one to protect or comfort her. Even those she trusted as “lovers” and friends have turned against her or deserted her. This picture shows how complete the loss is: loss of safety, joy, worship, and honor. It also shows how painful it feels when people and nations we trusted cannot help us and only God remains.

Question 3

What does “great is thy faithfulness” and “new every morning” mean in this setting?

Accepted Answer

Those words come in the middle of deep pain, not in an easy time. The writer has just said he feels shut in, broken, and unheard, like God is against him. Then he chooses to remember something else: that if God had not been merciful, they would have been completely wiped out. God’s loyal love has not run out. Every new day of life, even in hardship, is a sign that God still shows compassion. Saying “great is thy faithfulness” is an act of trust, holding onto God’s steady character while the situation still hurts.

Question 4

What does this passage teach about the connection between sin, judgment, and God’s mercy?

Accepted Answer

These laments make a clear link between the people’s sins and their suffering. The writer admits that Jerusalem has “grievously sinned,” oppressed others, and ignored God’s commands. Because of this, God has withdrawn protection and allowed enemies to destroy the city, temple, and kings. Yet even as he describes God as acting like an enemy, he also says that God does not afflict from his heart or cast off forever. Judgment is real and severe, but it has a purpose: to bring people to see their sin, to repent, and to hope again in God’s mercy.

Question 5

Why does the writer say, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth”?

Accepted Answer

Here the writer is talking about hard discipline that comes from God. Bearing the “yoke” means going through heavy trials and humbling experiences. Saying it is good to bear this in youth does not mean suffering is pleasant, but that early discipline can teach a person to bow before God, to be quiet instead of complaining, and to seek hope in him. Hard lessons learned early can shape a heart to trust God, accept correction, and avoid repeating the same sins. It points to the value of repentance and humility, even when it costs a lot.

Question 6

How should believers today respond to the call, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD”?

Accepted Answer

The writer does not just describe suffering; he calls the people to examine themselves. To “search and try our ways” means to honestly look at our actions, motives, and patterns in light of God’s commands. Instead of only blaming others or circumstances, we admit where we have turned from God. Turning again to the Lord means real repentance: confessing sin, changing direction, and lifting our hearts and hands to God in prayer. For believers today, this means using times of trouble as a wake‑up call to return to God with honesty and renewed obedience.

Question 7

What does this passage show about how to pray in deep grief and confusion?

Accepted Answer

These laments give words for times when life feels ruined. The writer does not hide his feelings; he speaks of tears, fear, anger, and even feeling shut out from God. He names the horrors around him, like hunger, violence, and mockery. Yet he keeps talking to God: “Behold, O LORD,” “Consider,” “Remember.” He pours out his heart like water and urges others to do the same, even at night. This shows that in deep grief, we can be honest with God, confess our sin, ask him to see our pain, and cling to any small hope of his mercy.

Question 8

Why does the writer ask God to punish the enemies after admitting his own sin?

Accepted Answer

The writer knows that the people have sinned and that God’s judgment on them is deserved. Still, he also sees that their enemies are proud, cruel, and happy at their fall. He asks God to bring on those enemies the same kind of judgment they have poured out on Jerusalem. This is not a cold wish for revenge, but an appeal to God as the fair judge of all. He is saying, in effect, “You have been just with us; now be just with them too.” It shows trust that only God can rightly deal with all wrongs.

Question 9

How can these laments give hope when life feels ruined or God seems far away?

Accepted Answer

These poems do not hide how bad things are: destroyed homes, hunger, shame, and the feeling that prayers hit a cloud and go nowhere. Yet woven through the pain are key truths: God is still on the throne, he does not enjoy afflicting people, his mercies keep his people from being fully destroyed, and he will not cast off forever. The people are invited to cry out, repent, and wait quietly for his salvation. For someone today, this shows that even in the darkest places, you can still talk to God and hope in his unchanging character.

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!

How Lonely Lies the City!

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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!

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How Lonely Lies the City!

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