Lamentations 5:22

Commentary on Lamentations 5:22 (KJV)

Lamentations 5:22 concludes the book with a poignant cry of perceived divine abandonment, stating, "But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us." This verse encapsulates the deep despair and sense of hopelessness felt by the people of Judah after the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and their subsequent exile to Babylon.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the devastating fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The city, once the glorious capital and heart of the Israelite covenant, lay in ruins, its temple destroyed, and its people carried off into captivity. Chapter 5, presented as a communal prayer, describes the horrific suffering, humiliation, and desolation experienced by the survivors. It details their hunger, the loss of their leaders, the violation of their women, and the absence of joy. After pleading for restoration and remembrance in earlier verses (e.g., Lamentations 5:21, "Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old"), verse 22 ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a raw expression of their perceived enduring rejection by God. This stark ending is a powerful testament to the depth of their suffering and the perceived finality of God's judgment.

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse explicitly mentions God's "wrath," indicating the people understood their suffering as a direct consequence of divine judgment for their persistent disobedience to the covenant. This aligns with the warnings found in books like Deuteronomy 28.
• Utter Rejection and Abandonment: The phrase "utterly rejected us" conveys a profound sense of being forsaken by God, feeling cut off from His presence and promises. It reflects the emotional and spiritual desolation that accompanied their physical ruin.
• Profound Despair: Unlike the glimmers of hope found earlier in Lamentations (e.g., Lamentations 3:22-23 speaks of God's unfailing mercies), this final verse plunges back into the depths of despair, leaving the plea for restoration seemingly unanswered. It captures the raw, honest human experience of feeling utterly lost in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "utterly rejected us" translates the Hebrew *ma'as ma'astanu* (מאס מאסתנו). The repetition of the verb *ma'as* (to reject, despise, abhor) intensifies its meaning, emphasizing a complete and decisive repudiation. It's not a temporary turning away but a profound, almost disgusted, rejection. Similarly, "thou art very wroth" comes from the Hebrew *qatsaphta* (קצפת), which denotes intense, burning anger. These strong terms underscore the depth of the people's feeling that God's anger was not only justified but also severe and seemingly without end.

Practical Application

While Lamentations 5:22 expresses a moment of profound despair, it offers several insights for believers today:

• Acknowledging Despair: This verse validates the human experience of feeling abandoned or rejected by God during times of intense suffering or consequences of sin. It shows that expressing such raw emotions to God, even in lament, is a biblical practice.
• Understanding Consequences: It serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's will can lead to severe consequences and a perceived separation from His favor (Isaiah 59:2).
• The Broader Narrative: Though the book ends on a note of despair, the broader biblical narrative consistently demonstrates God's faithfulness, His ultimate desire for restoration, and His willingness to forgive those who genuinely repent. Even when judgment is severe, God's ultimate character is love and mercy, as revealed supremely in Christ (John 3:16). The lament ends here, but God's story of redemption continues.