[Lamentation for Jerusalem, shortly after her fall to Babylon in 586 B.C.] Jerusalem weeps, her false idols of no help. She afflicted others, now she in turn is afflicted. Judah is gone into captivity because of her own sin. Strangers have defiled the Temple, her people sigh, food is scarce. Has ever there been such sorrow as this? Judah is laid waste, her people destroyed as in a wine press. No end to weeping. Outside awaits the sword, inside is death, none to comfort her. Her enemies rejoice, but will be punished as well, at a later time.

Israel, the footstool of God, is fallen, covered no longer with His glory, rather His cloud of anger, like a flaming fire. The Lord is her enemy, with His bow bent. The solemn feasts cease, His Tabernacle removed as a booth from a garden. The land is lawless; visions cease. The elders are humbled; Jerusalem hangs down her head. Children die in the arms of their mothers. There are no words for comfort. Passersby laugh and mock her. God's word is fulfilled; through Moses He promised them punishment for disobedience. Tears without ceasing. She is now more sinful than Sodom! Hungry mothers dine on their babies once bounced lovingly upon their knees in playful joy. Young and old alike fall by the sword. None escape.

[Lamentation of the man Jeremiah.] Afflicted by the rod of His wrath, flesh and bone faileth, hedged in and pulled into pieces. His arrows pierce the heart; peace is afar; prosperity has departed. Hope is perished, will fadeth, the soul humbled. But it is remembered, by His very mercies, man is not utterly consumed. His compassions are renewed daily. He is good to the one who waits, quietly hoping. God will not cast off forever. He will not subvert a man's purpose on Earth. He does not take joy in our affliction. Because all are sinful, one has no right to complain when he is afflicted. It is so, simply because the Lord allows it; He will not forget. Repentance is the only way to restoration. A cloud hides Him from our prayers. Shame and reproach is our steady diet. I will cry until He hears! My burden is too much to bear! My enemies cast me into a dungeon. Spare me and curse them!

[Horrors of the siege.] Temple stones scattered throughout every street. The young thirst and hunger. All food is gone. Because her sins were greater, her punishment is more severe than Sodom's, who fell in an instant, without persecution. Great men fail. Hungry mothers selfishly boil the fruit of their womb for food. No one would ever have guessed that Jerusalem, once highly exalted, would have fallen so low! The unjust sins of the prophets and priests are a reproach to the people. The streets are stained with the blood of the just. All her past lovers (allied nations), now looked to for help, are silent. The enemy is fierce, the king taken captive. Laugh now, Edom, but your day also is coming!

[Zion's pitiful prayer.] Their inheritance of old has been given to strangers. Israel is now the widow, fatherless, and the orphan in need of other's charity. The sins of the fathers are visited upon the present. People perish, women raped, princes hung by their thumbs, elders dishonored. All joy has ceased, the crown has fallen, our sin triumphant! The heart is faint; foxes (jackals) inhabit where once stood the Temple. Though Jerusalem has fallen, God is eternal; surely He will turn us and renew our days; but for now, we are rejected.