Lamentations 5:15

KJV

The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.

KJV (with Strong's)

The joy {H4885} of our heart {H3820} is ceased {H7673}; our dance {H4234} is turned {H2015} into mourning {H60}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Joy has vanished from our hearts, our dancing has turned into mourning.

Berean Standard Bible

Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

American Standard Version

The joy of our heart is ceased; Our dance is turned into mourning.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:15 powerfully encapsulates the profound despair and catastrophic reversal of fortune experienced by the people of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. This verse articulates a collective cry of anguish, lamenting the complete cessation of joy and the transformation of celebratory dance into deep, pervasive mourning, vividly portraying the national devastation and the spiritual emptiness left in the wake of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5:15 is situated within the final chapter of the book, which shifts dramatically from the acrostic structure of the first four chapters to a collective prayer or communal lament. Chapter 5 functions as a desperate appeal to God, a communal confession of suffering, and a fervent plea for restoration. Verse 15, with its stark declaration of lost joy and transformed dance, serves as a poignant summary of the nation's abject state, reinforcing the pervasive sorrow expressed throughout the preceding chapters. It contributes to the chapter's overall tone of desolation and serves as a climactic expression of the people's grief, setting the stage for the concluding, urgent plea for God to "restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old" [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - A Plea for Restoration"). The verse emphasizes the depth of their suffering, which undergirds their desperate cry for divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations recounts the aftermath of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a cataclysmic event for the people of Judah. This period marked the traumatic end of the Davidic monarchy, the razing of the First Temple (the very center of their spiritual and national identity), and the forced exile of much of the population. Prior to this devastation, Jerusalem was a vibrant hub where religious festivals, national celebrations, and daily life were often punctuated by expressions of joy, including music and dance, which were integral to worship, communal bonding, and expressions of national prosperity. The phrase "our dance is turned into mourning" directly contrasts this former life of vibrant celebration and spiritual vitality with the utter desolation and captivity that followed. This highlights the complete disruption of their social, religious, and emotional fabric, underscoring that the loss was not merely physical but deeply spiritual and psychological, affecting the very "heart" of the nation.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 5:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, as the suffering is understood not as random misfortune but as a direct consequence of Israel's persistent covenant unfaithfulness, echoing the warnings and curses found in books like [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") for disobedience. The verse vividly portrays **Profound Loss and Despair**, illustrating a community stripped of its former blessings and overwhelmed by an all-encompassing sorrow, a state of spiritual and emotional emptiness. The **Reversal of Fortune** is a central motif, where former joy and celebration are dramatically replaced by grief and lamentation, signifying the severity of God's disciplinary hand. Furthermore, the repeated use of "our" emphasizes **Collective Suffering**, highlighting that this is not an isolated incident but a shared national catastrophe, a communal experience of God's righteous wrath and the subsequent call to corporate lament, as seen throughout the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - The Desolation of Jerusalem"), particularly in its communal prayers and expressions of grief.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **joy (Hebrew, _mâsôws'_):** This word (H4885) signifies delight, mirth, or exuberant gladness, often associated with feasts, celebrations, and expressions of national prosperity or divine blessing. Its cessation implies a complete absence of public and private rejoicing, indicating a profound and pervasive state of sorrow that has permeated every aspect of life.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This term (H3820) refers to the innermost being, encompassing not just emotions but also the will, intellect, and conscience. The "joy of our heart" signifies that the despair is not superficial but deeply seated, affecting the very core of their collective identity and spiritual vitality.
* **ceased (Hebrew, _shâbath'_):** This primitive root (H7673) means "to repose" or "desist from exertion." Here, it conveys a definitive end or termination, implying that the joy has not merely diminished but has completely stopped, as if put to rest or taken away entirely. It suggests a permanent, rather than temporary, cessation of their former happiness, leaving a void.
* **dance (Hebrew, _mâchôwl'_):** This term (H4234) refers specifically to a "round dance," typically performed in celebration, often in religious contexts or during times of national festivity and prosperity. It is a physical manifestation of communal joy and exuberance. Its transformation into mourning highlights the radical and painful shift in the nation's emotional and spiritual state.
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** This primitive root (H2015) means "to turn about or over," implying a complete change, reversal, or overthrow. The use of this verb emphasizes the dramatic and fundamental shift from one state to its exact opposite, from celebration to lamentation, underscoring the severity and totality of their altered circumstances.
* **mourning (Hebrew, _ʼêbel'_):** This word (H60) denotes lamentation or deep grief, typically associated with death or profound loss. Its presence signifies a state of profound sorrow, a communal lament for what has been lost—their city, their temple, their freedom, their very way of life, and the divine favor they once enjoyed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The joy of our heart is ceased":** This clause declares a complete and utter absence of inner delight and outward celebration. The phrase "joy of our heart" indicates that the sorrow is not superficial but deeply seated, affecting the very core of their being—their emotions, will, and intellect. The verb "ceased" (Hebrew: *shâbath*) emphasizes a definitive end, suggesting that the wellspring of their happiness has dried up entirely, leaving behind a profound emptiness and a sense of permanent loss.
* **"our dance is turned into mourning":** This clause provides a vivid, concrete image of the reversal. "Dance" (Hebrew: *mâchôwl*), a powerful symbol of communal celebration, prosperity, and often religious festivity, has been dramatically "turned" (Hebrew: *hâphak*) into "mourning" (Hebrew: *ʼêbel*), a symbol of deep grief and lamentation, typically associated with death and profound loss. This transformation underscores the radical shift from a vibrant, festive national life to one consumed by sorrow, reflecting the devastating impact of the Babylonian conquest on their public and private expressions of emotion and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of profound sorrow and desolation. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, where "the joy of our heart" is starkly contrasted with "mourning," and "our dance" is set against "mourning." This direct juxtaposition powerfully highlights the dramatic and complete reversal of the nation's fortune and emotional state, emphasizing the severity of their suffering. **Imagery** is central, with "dance" and "mourning" evoking vivid mental pictures of communal celebration giving way to public lamentation and despair. The phrase "joy of our heart" uses **Metonymy**, where "heart" stands for the entire inner being—the seat of emotions, will, and intellect—thereby emphasizing the depth and totality of their despair, indicating that the sorrow has penetrated to their very core. The verse also implicitly uses **Hyperbole** to convey the overwhelming nature of their grief, suggesting that *all* joy has ceased and *all* dance has become mourning, underscoring the pervasive and absolute nature of their suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:15 is a profound theological statement on the consequences of sin and the nature of divine judgment, yet it also implicitly points to the necessity of lament and the eventual hope of restoration. The cessation of joy and the turning of dance into mourning are not arbitrary but are direct outcomes of Israel's persistent covenant unfaithfulness, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against rebellion and idolatry. This suffering, however, is not without purpose; it is a disciplinary act designed to humble and refine His people, leading them back to Himself through repentance. The verse underscores that true and lasting joy is intrinsically linked to a right relationship with God, and its absence signifies a broken covenant and a disrupted fellowship. Even in the depths of despair, the act of lament, as exemplified by the entire book of Lamentations, is a biblically sanctioned and spiritually healthy response, a cry to the sovereign God who alone can reverse such fortunes and restore His people.

* [Jeremiah 7:34](/jeremiah/7-34 "Jeremiah 7:34 - Cessation of Joy and Gladness")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Endure for a Night, but Joy Comes in the Morning")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Great Love and Compassions Never Fail")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:15 offers a sobering yet profoundly relevant message for believers today. It validates the human experience of deep grief, loss, and despair, reminding us that sorrow is not antithetical to faith, but a legitimate and often necessary response to suffering in a fallen world. The verse challenges us to consider the weighty consequences of personal and corporate disobedience to God's will, highlighting that straying from His path can indeed lead to a cessation of spiritual joy and a turning of our "dance" into "mourning." It calls us to honest self-examination and sincere repentance, understanding that true and lasting joy is found only in faithful communion with God and obedience to His commands. Furthermore, it encourages us to embrace the spiritual discipline of lament, recognizing that crying out to God in our pain, rather than suppressing it, is a vital pathway to healing and, ultimately, to the restoration of joy, knowing that God is able to turn our mourning into dancing [Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing") in His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life, or perhaps within your community or nation, might "the joy of our heart" seem to have "ceased" or "dance" turned into "mourning"?**
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of God's justice, His disciplinary hand, and the consequences of sin, both individually and corporately?**
* **What is your natural response to deep sorrow or profound loss, and how might the practice of lament, as exemplified in the book of Lamentations, offer a healthier and more biblical spiritual pathway?**
* **Considering the broader biblical narrative of redemption and restoration, what hope does this verse, despite its despair, ultimately point to regarding God's sovereign ability to restore joy and reverse fortunes?**

### FAQ
**Why did the joy of the people cease, and their dance turn into mourning?**

Answer: The cessation of joy and the turning of dance into mourning were direct and devastating consequences of the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. This cataclysmic event, as understood by the biblical writers, was a divine judgment upon the people of Judah for their persistent disobedience, widespread idolatry, and breaking of the covenant with God. The loss of their holy city, their sacred worship place, their national identity, their freedom, and their very way of life led to profound grief and despair, replacing their former celebrations with deep lamentation. The entire book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - The Desolation of Jerusalem") details this suffering as a direct result of their sin, as explicitly stated in passages like [Lamentations 1:8](/lamentations/1-8 "Lamentations 1:8 - Jerusalem's Sin and Shame").

**Is it always a sign of God's judgment when joy ceases in a community or individual's life?**

Answer: While Lamentations 5:15 clearly links the cessation of joy to divine judgment for corporate sin, it is crucial to understand that this is not always the case in every personal or communal experience of sorrow. Grief and suffering are an inherent part of the human condition in a fallen world, and believers will experience trials for various reasons, including the testing and refinement of faith [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Faith Produces Perseverance"), growth in character and perseverance [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Perseverance and Hope"), or simply the general hardships and brokenness of life in a sinful world. However, this verse serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that unrepentant sin can indeed lead to a loss of joy and spiritual vitality, both individually and collectively, prompting a necessary call to examine our hearts and return to God in repentance and faith.

**Does the Bible offer hope for joy to return after such deep mourning?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the book of Lamentations is steeped in profound sorrow and despair, the broader biblical narrative consistently offers abundant hope for restoration and the return of joy after periods of mourning. [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Endure for a Night, but Joy Comes in the Morning") famously declares, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Prophets like Isaiah foretold a glorious future where God would "comfort all who mourn" and give them "a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" [Isaiah 61:2-3](/isaiah/61-2-3 "Isaiah 61:2-3 - Comfort for Mourners and the Oil of Gladness"). Ultimately, the New Testament reveals that in Christ, God turns our deepest mourning into eternal joy through His redemptive work and the promise of a new heaven and new earth where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain in the New Creation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:15, with its poignant portrayal of joy ceasing and dance turning into mourning, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the lament of Judah was for the consequences of their own sin, Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly entered into the deepest human sorrow and experienced the ultimate cessation of joy on our behalf. In Gethsemane and on the cross, He bore the full weight of humanity's sin, becoming "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant"). His agonizing cry of dereliction, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction on the Cross"), represents the absolute nadir of joy, as the Father's face was turned away from the sin He bore. Yet, it is precisely through this ultimate act of mourning and suffering that Christ accomplished the great reversal. His sacrificial death turned the mourning of humanity's condemnation into the dance of redemption, and His glorious resurrection transformed the sorrow of sin's power and death's sting into the everlasting joy of salvation. Through Him, God fulfills His ancient promise to "turn [our] mourning into dancing" [Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing"), offering a joy that no earthly sorrow or tribulation can ultimately extinguish [John 16:20](/john/16-20 "John 16:20 - Your Sorrow Will Turn to Joy"). In Christ, the lament for a broken world finds its answer in the hope of a new creation where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain in the New Heaven and New Earth"), and eternal joy reigns supreme.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Amos 8:10

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Amos 6:4

That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

Amos 6:7

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

Psalms 30:11

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;