Lamentations - Caput 1

Lamentations 1.1 ALEPH quomodo sedit sola civitas plena populo facta est quasi vidua domina gentium princeps provinciarum facta est sub tributo Lamentations 1.2 BETH plorans ploravit in nocte et lacrimae eius in maxillis eius non est qui consoletur eam ex omnibus caris eius omnes amici eius spreverunt eam et facti sunt ei inimici Lamentations 1.3 GIMEL migravit Iuda propter adflictionem et multitudinem servitutis habitavit inter gentes nec invenit requiem omnes persecutores eius adprehenderunt eam inter angustias Lamentations 1.4 DELETH viae Sion lugent eo quod non sint qui veniant ad sollemnitatem omnes portae eius destructae sacerdotes eius gementes virgines eius squalidae et ipsa oppressa amaritudine Lamentations 1.5 HE facti sunt hostes eius in capite inimici illius locupletati sunt quia Dominus locutus est super eam propter multitudinem iniquitatum eius parvuli eius ducti sunt captivi ante faciem tribulantis Lamentations 1.6 VAV et egressus est a filia Sion omnis decor eius facti sunt principes eius velut arietes non invenientes pascuam et abierunt absque fortitudine ante faciem subsequentis Lamentations 1.7 ZAI recordata est Hierusalem dierum adflictionis suae et praevaricationis omnium desiderabilium suorum quae habuerat a diebus antiquis cum caderet populus eius in manu hostili et non esset auxiliator viderunt eam hostes et deriserunt sabbata eius Lamentations 1.8 HETH peccatum peccavit Hierusalem propterea instabilis facta est omnes qui glorificabant eam spreverunt illam quia viderunt ignominiam eius ipsa autem gemens et conversa retrorsum Lamentations 1.9 TETH sordes eius in pedibus eius nec recordata est finis sui deposita est vehementer non habens consolatorem vide Domine adflictionem meam quoniam erectus est inimicus Lamentations 1.10 IOTH manum suam misit hostis ad omnia desiderabilia eius quia vidit gentes ingressas sanctuarium suum de quibus praeceperas ne intrarent in ecclesiam tuam Lamentations 1.11 CAPH omnis populus eius gemens et quaerens panem dederunt pretiosa quaeque pro cibo ad refocilandam animam vide Domine considera quoniam facta sum vilis Lamentations 1.12 LAMED o vos omnes qui transitis per viam adtendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus quoniam vindemiavit me ut locutus est Dominus in die irae furoris sui Lamentations 1.13 MEM de excelso misit ignem in ossibus meis et erudivit me expandit rete pedibus meis convertit me retrorsum posuit me desolatam tota die maerore confectam Lamentations 1.14 NUN vigilavit iugum iniquitatum mearum in manu eius convolutae sunt et inpositae collo meo infirmata est virtus mea dedit me Dominus in manu de qua non potero surgere Lamentations 1.15 SAMECH abstulit omnes magnificos meos Dominus de medio mei vocavit adversum me tempus ut contereret electos meos torcular calcavit Dominus virgini filiae Iuda Lamentations 1.16 AIN idcirco ego plorans et oculus meus deducens aquam quia longe factus est a me consolator convertens animam meam facti sunt filii mei perditi quoniam invaluit inimicus Lamentations 1.17 FE expandit Sion manus suas non est qui consoletur eam mandavit Dominus adversum Iacob in circuitu eius hostes eius facta est Hierusalem quasi polluta menstruis inter eos Lamentations 1.18 SADE iustus est Dominus quia os eius ad iracundiam provocavi audite obsecro universi populi et videte dolorem meum virgines meae et iuvenes mei abierunt in captivitatem Lamentations 1.19 COPH vocavi amicos meos et ipsi deceperunt me sacerdotes mei et senes mei in urbe consumpti sunt quia quaesierunt cibum sibi ut refocilarent animam suam Lamentations 1.20 RES vide Domine quoniam tribulor venter meus conturbatus est subversum est cor meum in memet ipsa quoniam amaritudine plena sum foris interfecit gladius et domi mors similis est Lamentations 1.21 SEN audierunt quia ingemesco ego et non est qui consoletur me omnes inimici mei audierunt malum meum laetati sunt quoniam tu fecisti adduxisti diem consolationis et fient similes mei Lamentations 1.22 THAU ingrediatur omne malum eorum coram te et devindemia eos sicut vindemiasti me propter omnes iniquitates meas multi enim gemitus mei et cor meum maerens

Lamentations : Caput 1

The Sorrow of Jerusalem in Lamentations

Chapter 1 of Lamentations depicts Jerusalem in ruins, illustrating the profound suffering of this fallen city. The prophet vividly expresses the grief of the abandoned city, personifying Jerusalem as a widow tried by adversity. This heartbreaking poem depicts the desolation that followed its destruction by the Babylonians, while exploring universal themes such as sin, the consequences of our actions, and the seeming absence of God.

Lamentations 1 balances recognition of divine justice with a fervent plea for mercy. This text invites us to meditate on our own spiritual condition and to feel the need for repentance and hope. We invite you to reflect on five biblical passages that resonate with the themes of this moving chapter.

Isaiah 54:6

"The Lord has called you like a helpless woman and sad in spirit, like a divorced wife of youth, says your God."

This verse echoes the personification of Jerusalem as a forsaken woman in Lamentations 1, thus reflecting the theme of the desolate city and its plea for divine comfort.

Jeremiah 30:14

"All your allies have forgotten; they do not care for you. I have struck her as I strike an enemy, with a cruel punishment, because of her great sin and her many iniquities."

This passage illustrates the loneliness of Jerusalem, abandoned by her allies and punished for her sins, a central theme of Lamentations 1.

Hosea 2:15

"There I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she left Egypt."

This verse offers a message of hope and restoration, contrasting with the desolation described in Lamentations 1, but sharing similar relational language that opens the way to redemption.

Psalm 137:1

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion."

This psalm perfectly captures the sense of mourning and exile present in Lamentations 1, reminding us of the tears shed for the holy city.

Ezekiel 5:14

"I will make you a desolation and a derision among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by."

This Ezekiel's prophecy aligns with the description of Jerusalem's desolation in Lamentations 1, highlighting the tragic consequences of sin.

As we meditate on these verses, may our hearts be opened to understanding our own condition and may we find the strength to turn to God with repentance and hope.