Lamentations 4:17 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation {that} could not save {us}.”

Lamentations 4:17

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

They cried unto them, Depart ye; {it is} unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn {there}. {it...: or, ye polluted}

The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. {anger: or, face}

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation {that} could not save {us}.

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

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Lamentations 4:1

"How is the gold become dim! {how} is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street."

Lamentations 4:2

"The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!"

Lamentations 4:3

"Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people {is become} cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. {sea...: or, sea calves}"

Lamentations 4:4

"The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, {and} no man breaketh {it} unto them."

Lamentations 4:5

"They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills."

Lamentations 4:6

"For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her. {punishment of the iniquity: or, iniquity}"

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