Lamentations is the book attributed to Jeremiah that expresses the prophet's emotions--and those of the people of Israel--following the collapse of the nation in 586 B.C. and the Exile. As the title implies, it is one long lament.
I did not make a careful, analytical study of Lamentations. I'm thinking it deserves such a treatment because I think it is richer in meaning and structure than just a straight reading will reveal. (Hey, Kehila Sunday School Class: This might be a good choice for an upcoming study!)
Most of Lamentations is pretty grim. It is the picture of woe, devastation, and regret. Some of the descriptions of the siege of Jerusalem are horrifying (as in mothers having to eat their children).
I marked a couple of passages that deal with the causes of the demise of Israel: 3:34-36 and 4:12-13. These passages pinpoint the injustices of the people, the arrogance of kings, and the iniquity of the religious leaders.
Yet, as woeful as the book is, right in the middle are some beautiful, hopeful passages. One of Christendom's favorite hymns, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," comes from 3:22-24:
"Because of the LORD's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
And a little later, "For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men" (3:31-33).
If you like Hebrew poetry, with its evocative imagery and its graceful parallelism, Lamentations is a tour de force. It's message of hope is twofold. First, God is just and righteous: He does indeed follow through on punishing wickedness. Second, God is faithful and accessible in our deepest distress. Great is His faithfulness; morning by morning, new mercies we see.
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