The Biblical book of Lamentations is a unique book, in that first its location is different in the Christian cannon than the Jewish. In the Christian canon, it is placed after the prophetic book of Jeremiah, as tradition ascribe its authorship to Jeremiah as well. Yet, in the Hebrew canon Lamentations, with it’s five poetic laments its placed with the Writings or Five Scrolls. It is also unique in that it’s an account of the Jewish people’s lament over their historic lost of the land and the temple and deep concern of lost their identification as God’s people. The grief and suffering of the people is forefront, even if the assuredness of God’s power and mercy is unquestioned. Some of the power of Lamentations is lost in translation, i.e., the first four chapters are a Hebrew alphabetic acrostic; it is still a moving and poetic book to be savored.
Lamentations 3:22-33
22The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. 26It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, 28to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, 29to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), 30to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. 31For the Lord will not reject forever. 32Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone
Prayer
May my prayers and my heart hold true to this Jewish prayer, “I thank You, ever living King, who has mercifully restored by soul within me; ample is your grace” Amen.
