Lamentations 2:19

Lamentations 2:19 is a poignant and urgent call to desperate prayer during a time of extreme national distress. The prophet, traditionally Jeremiah, implores the people to cry out to God with unreserved intensity, especially on behalf of the most vulnerable: starving children.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a sorrowful dirge, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. This verse is situated within a chapter that graphically depicts the horrors of the siege and its aftermath, portraying God's wrath poured out due to the nation's persistent sin. The city, once glorious, is now desolate, and its inhabitants face unimaginable suffering, including famine and death. The call to prayer in verse 19 is a desperate plea for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming catastrophe, a stark contrast to the earlier verses describing God's judgment (Lamentations 2:17).

Key Themes

• Desperate Intercession: The verse is a powerful command to engage in urgent, heartfelt prayer. The imagery of "cry out in the night" and "pour out thine heart like water" emphasizes the depth of anguish and the need for unreserved supplication. This kind of prayer is born out of profound suffering and helplessness, acknowledging that only God can provide relief.
• Urgency and Persistence: The phrase "in the beginning of the watches" signifies praying continually through the night, underscoring the critical nature of the situation and the necessity of persistent prayer. It implies that the crisis is so severe that it demands round-the-clock appeal to God.
• Compassion for the Vulnerable: The specific mention of "young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street" highlights the most tragic consequence of the siege and famine. The prophet appeals to the people's deepest parental instincts, urging them to intercede for those who are helpless victims of the catastrophe. This evokes the horrifying conditions described elsewhere, such as in Deuteronomy 28:53 regarding the curses of disobedience.
• Unreserved Supplication: "Pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord" is a vivid metaphor for complete and unrestrained emotional expression in prayer. It means holding nothing back, bringing all one's pain, fear, and desperation directly to God. This echoes the sentiment in Psalm 62:8, which encourages trusting God at all times and pouring out one's heart before Him.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew phrase translated "pour out thine heart like water" (shaphokh libbeka kamayim) is a powerful idiom. It signifies a complete, unreserved, and possibly tearful outpouring of one's inner self—emotions, fears, and petitions—without any reservation or pretense. It suggests a desperate act, like water gushing freely, illustrating the depth of the emotional and spiritual release.
• The "watches" refer to the ancient practice of dividing the night into periods, typically three or four. "In the beginning of the watches" means starting prayer immediately as the night begins and continuing through its divisions, emphasizing ceaseless and vigilant intercession.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:19 offers timeless lessons for believers facing overwhelming circumstances, whether personal or communal. It teaches us:

1. The Necessity of Earnest Prayer: When human solutions fail and suffering is immense, the only recourse is to turn to God with fervent, unreserved prayer. This verse reminds us that true prayer is not always calm and composed; it can be a desperate cry from the depths of our being.
2. Intercession for the Vulnerable: We are called to be advocates for those who cannot help themselves, especially the suffering, the hungry, and the innocent. Our prayers should extend beyond our own needs to encompass the plight of others.
3. Persistence in Adversity: The call to pray "in the night" and "in the beginning of the watches" encourages persistence in prayer, even when answers are not immediately apparent or when circumstances seem bleak. It underscores the importance of unwavering faith in God's ability to hear and respond.
4. Authenticity Before God: "Pour out thine heart like water" encourages us to bring our true selves—our pain, our fears, our raw emotions—before God, knowing that He understands and cares. There is no need for pretense when approaching the Lord of all creation. This deep level of honesty fosters a closer relationship with God.