1Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners.3We have become fatherless, our mothers are widows.4We must buy the water we drink; our wood can be had only at a price.5Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are weary and find no rest.6We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.7Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.8Slaves rule over us, and there is no one to free us from their hands.9We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the desert.10Our skin is hot as an oven, feverish from hunger.11Women have been violated in Zion, and virgins in the towns of Judah.12Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect.13Young men toil at the millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.14The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.15Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.16The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!17Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim18for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.19You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.20Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?21Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old22unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.
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)