1LORD, think about what has happened to us. Look at the shame our enemies have brought on us.2The land you gave us has been turned over to outsiders. Our homes have been given to strangers.3Our fathers have been killed. Our mothers don’t have husbands.4We have to buy the water we drink. We have to pay for the wood we use.5Those who chase us are right behind us. We’re tired and can’t get any rest.6We put ourselves under the control of Egypt and Assyria just to get enough bread.7Our people of long ago sinned. And they are now dead. We are being punished because of their sins.8Slaves rule over us. No one can set us free from their power.9We put our lives in danger just to get some bread to eat. Robbers in the desert might kill us with their swords.10Our skin is as hot as an oven. We are so hungry we’re burning up with fever.11Our women have been treated badly in Zion. Our virgins have been treated badly in the towns of Judah.12Our princes have been hung up by their hands. No one shows our elders any respect.13Our young men are forced to grind corn at the mill. Our boys almost fall down as they carry heavy loads of wood.14Our elders don’t go to the city gate anymore. Our young men have stopped playing their music.15There isn’t any joy in our hearts. Our dancing has turned into mourning.16All of our honour is gone. How terrible it is for us because we have sinned!17So our hearts are weak. Our eyes can’t see very clearly.18Mount Zion has been deserted. Wild dogs are prowling all around on it.19LORD, you rule for ever. Your throne will last for all time to come.20Why do you always forget us? Why have you deserted us for so long?21LORD, please bring us back to you. Then we can return. Make our lives like new again.22Or have you completely turned away from us? Are you really that angry with us?
Lamentations 5
English Standard Version
Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord
1Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! (Ps 89:50; La 3:61)2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. (Ps 79:1)3We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.4We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we get must be bought.5Our pursuers are at our necks; we are weary; we are given no rest. (Jos 10:24)6We have given the hand to Egypt, and to Assyria, to get bread enough. (Ho 12:1)7Our fathers sinned, and are no more; and we bear their iniquities. (Jer 31:29; Eze 18:2)8Slaves rule over us; there is none to deliver us from their hand. (Pr 30:21)9We get our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword in the wilderness. (Jer 6:25)10Our skin is hot as an oven with the burning heat of famine. (De 32:24; La 4:8)11Women are raped in Zion, young women in the towns of Judah.12Princes are hung up by their hands; no respect is shown to the elders. (2Ki 25:19; La 4:16)13Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, and boys stagger under loads of wood. (Jos 9:27; Jud 16:21)14The old men have left the city gate, the young men their music. (Isa 24:8; La 5:12)15The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. (La 5:14; Am 8:10)16The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! (Ps 89:39; Jer 13:18; La 1:1)17For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, (Isa 1:5; La 2:11)18for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it. (Isa 34:13)19But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations. (Ps 9:7; Ps 102:12; Ps 145:13)20Why do you forget us forever, why do you forsake us for so many days? (Ps 13:1)21Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old— (Ps 80:3; Ps 80:7; Ps 80:19; Jer 31:18)22unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us. (Jer 14:19)