The book of Lamentations is made up of five poems, each an expression of grief over the fall of Jerusalem. Like a eulogy at a funeral, these laments are intended to mourn a loss—in this case, the loss of a nation. The latter half of chapter 3 implies that the purpose behind the book’s graphic depictions of sorrow and suffering was to produce hope in the God whose compassion is “new every morning” (v. 23) and whose faithfulness is great even to a people who have been condemned for their own unfaithfulness. The author, while not identified in the book itself, may have been the prophet Jeremiah, who was said to have “uttered a lament for Josiah” (2 Chron. 35:25). Lamentations was probably written shortly after Jerusalem’s fall in 586 B.C. (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (La). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)

Lam 1.1-22; Reflection; Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude.

Lam 2.1-22;  Reflection; The LORD has cast down from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel

Lam 3.1-36; Reflection-Hope; The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. His mercies are new every morning.

Lam 3.37-54; Reflection-Prayer; Jeremiah urges people to accept the punishment and learn from it.

Lam 3.55-66; Prayer; Jeremiah calls for vengeance on those who persecute them.

Lam 4.1-22; Reflection; Jeremiah grieves over the punishment inflicted on Judah.

Lam 5.1-22; Prayer; Jeremiah calls to the LORD for restoration.