Lamentations 1:21

Lamentations 1:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that You have caused it. May You bring the day You have announced, so that they may become like me.

King James Version KJV

They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.

American Standard Version ASV

They have heard that I sigh; there is none to comfort me; All mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast proclaimed, and they shall be like unto me.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Give ear to the voice of my grief; I have no comforter; all my haters have news of my troubles, they are glad because you have done it: let the day of fate come when they will be like me.

Free Bible Version FBV

People hear me groaning, but no one comes to comfort me. All my enemies have heard about the bad things that have happened to me, and they're delighted that it was you who did it. Please bring about the day of judgment that you promised so they can end up like me.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They haue heard that I mourne, but there is none to comfort mee: all mine enemies haue heard of my trouble, and are glad, that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day, that thou hast pronounced, and they shalbe like vnto me.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

They have heard that I have sighed, There is no comforter for me, All my enemies have heard of my calamity, They have rejoiced that Thou hast done [it], Thou hast brought in the day Thou hast called, And they are like to me.

World English Bible WEB

“They have heard that I sigh. There is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble. They are glad that you have done it. You will bring the day that you have proclaimed, and they will be like me.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it : thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like me.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Sin. They have heard that I sigh, and there is none to comfort me: all my enemies have heard of my evil, they have rejoiced that thou hast done it: thou hast brought a day of consolation, and they shall be like unto me.

Translation for Translators T4T

People have heard us while we groaned, but no one came to comfort us. Yahweh, you caused us to experience this disaster, and our enemies are happy to see what you have done to us. But cause it soon to be the time that you have promised, when our enemies will suffer like we have suffered!

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 1:21

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Lamentations 1:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB שָׁמְע֞וּ כִּ֧י נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה אָ֗נִי אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לִ֔/י כָּל אֹ֨יְבַ֜/י שָׁמְע֤וּ רָֽעָתִ/י֙ שָׂ֔שׂוּ כִּ֥י אַתָּ֖ה עָשִׂ֑יתָ הֵבֵ֥אתָ יוֹם קָרָ֖אתָ וְ/יִֽהְי֥וּ כָמֽוֹ/נִי

שָׁמְע֞וּ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Perf-3cp

כִּ֧י kîy H3588 for Conj

נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה ʼânach H584 to sigh V-Niphal-Inf-c

אָ֗נִי ʼănîy H589 I Pron

אֵ֤ין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

מְנַחֵם֙ nâcham H5162 to be sorry V-Piel

לִ֔/י Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

אֹ֨יְבַ֜/י ʼôyêb H341 enemy V-Qal | Suff

שָׁמְע֤וּ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Perf-3cp

רָֽעָתִ/י֙ raʻ H7451 bad N-fs | Suff

שָׂ֔שׂוּ sûws H7797 to rejoice V-Qal-Perf-3cp

כִּ֥י kîy H3588 for Conj

אַתָּ֖ה ʼattâh H859 you(m.s.) Pron

עָשִׂ֑יתָ ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-2ms

הֵבֵ֥אתָ bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms

יוֹם yôwm H3117 day N-ms

קָרָ֖אתָ qârâʼ H7121 to call V-Qal-Perf-2ms

וְ/יִֽהְי֥וּ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

כָמֽוֹ/נִי kᵉmôw H3644 like Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 1:21

שָׁמְע֞וּ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

כִּ֧י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה ʼânach H584 "to sigh" V-Niphal-Inf-c

To sigh means to groan or mourn in pain or grief, like an animal moaning, and is used to express deep emotional distress in the Bible.

Definition: 1) (Niphal) sigh, groan (in pain or grief), gasp 1a) moan (of cattle)

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: groan, mourn, sigh. See also: Exodus 2:23; Lamentations 1:11; Proverbs 29:2.

אָ֗נִי ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron

This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.

Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.

אֵ֤ין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

מְנַחֵם֙ nâcham H5162 "to be sorry" V-Piel

To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.

Definition: : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)

Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). See also: Genesis 5:29; Isaiah 12:1; Psalms 23:4.

לִ֔/י "" Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

אֹ֨יְבַ֜/י ʼôyêb H341 "enemy" V-Qal | Suff

This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.

Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national

Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.

שָׁמְע֤וּ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

רָֽעָתִ/י֙ raʻ H7451 "bad" N-fs | Suff

Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.

Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions

Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.

שָׂ֔שׂוּ sûws H7797 "to rejoice" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

This Hebrew word means to feel joyful or cheerful, like a bright and happy feeling. It appears in the Bible when people are celebrating or giving thanks. In the KJV, it is often translated as 'rejoice' or 'be glad'.

Definition: 1) to exult, rejoice 1a) (Qal) to exult, display joy

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: be glad, [idiom] greatly, joy, make mirth, rejoice. See also: Deuteronomy 28:63; Isaiah 61:10; Psalms 19:6.

כִּ֥י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

אַתָּ֖ה ʼattâh H859 "you(m.s.)" Pron

You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.

Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)

Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.

עָשִׂ֑יתָ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-2ms

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

הֵבֵ֥אתָ bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

יוֹם yôwm H3117 "day" N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

קָרָ֖אתָ qârâʼ H7121 "to call" V-Qal-Perf-2ms

This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.

Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.

וְ/יִֽהְי֥וּ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

כָמֽוֹ/נִי kᵉmôw H3644 "like" Prep | Suff

This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.

Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were

Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.

Study Notes — Lamentations 1:21

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Context
Cross References
Lamentations 1:21 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 1:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 1:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 1:21
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 1:21
Sermons on Lamentations 1:21

Context — How Lonely Lies the City!

19I called out to my lovers, but they have betrayed me. My priests and elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive. 20See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am churning within; my heart is pounding within me, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is death.

21People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that You have caused it. May You bring the day You have announced, so that they may become like me.

22Let all their wickedness come before You, and deal with them as You have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. For my groans are many, and my heart is faint.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Lamentations 1:8	Jerusalem has sinned greatly; therefore she has become an object of scorn. All who honored her now despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away.
2	Lamentations 2:15	All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?”
3	Lamentations 1:16	For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.
4	Psalms 35:15	But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.
5	Jeremiah 50:11	“Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph— you who plunder My inheritance— because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions,
6	Lamentations 1:22	Let all their wickedness come before You, and deal with them as You have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. For my groans are many, and my heart is faint.
7	Jeremiah 51:24	Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD.
8	Lamentations 1:4	The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish.
9	Lamentations 1:2	She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.
10	Micah 7:9–10	Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness. Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame— she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.

Lamentations 1:21 Summary

The author of Lamentations 1:21 is expressing deep sadness and feeling very alone, as they cry out to God for comfort, similar to the Psalmist in Psalms 42:9. They feel like their enemies are happy to see them suffering, but they trust that God will bring justice one day, as seen in Psalms 37:7-9. This verse reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can turn to God and trust in His goodness and justice, as seen in Romans 8:18, and that He will ultimately bring vindication to those who are faithful to Him, as seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7. We can learn from the author's example to pray for those who may be against us, and to trust in God's sovereignty, even when things don't make sense, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the author of Lamentations 1:21 say that people have heard their groaning but there is no one to comfort them?

The author is expressing the deep pain and isolation they feel, as seen in Lamentations 1:21, where even those who should be closest to them have turned away, much like the Psalmist in Psalms 38:11, who also cried out for comfort in their distress.

What does the author mean when they say that their enemies are glad that God caused their trouble?

The author is highlighting the cruel response of their enemies, who see their suffering as a sign of God's judgment, similar to the attitude of the nations in Psalms 83:1-8, who rejoice at the misfortune of God's people, but ultimately, God is the one who allows such things to happen for His own purposes, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:29.

What is the 'day' that the author is asking God to bring in Lamentations 1:21?

The 'day' likely refers to a time of reckoning or judgment, when God will deal with the author's enemies and bring justice, similar to the 'day of the Lord' spoken of in Isaiah 2:12, where God will judge all nations and peoples, and the wicked will be punished for their actions, as seen in Revelation 20:12-15.

How can we apply the prayer of Lamentations 1:21 to our own lives when we face suffering or hardship?

We can learn from the author's example to cry out to God in our distress, trusting in His sovereignty and justice, as seen in Romans 8:28, where we are reminded that God works all things together for our good, and to pray for those who persecute us, as taught in Matthew 5:44, that they might come to know God's mercy and forgiveness.

Reflection Questions

What are some times in my life when I felt like I had no one to turn to for comfort, and how did I respond to God in those moments?
How do I respond when I see others suffering, and what can I do to be a source of comfort and support to them, as seen in Galatians 6:2?
What are some ways that I can trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when I don't understand why certain things are happening in my life, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
How can I pray for those who may be glad at my misfortune, and what can I learn from the example of the author of Lamentations 1:21 in this regard, as seen in Luke 6:27-28?

Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 1:21

They have heard that I sigh: [there is] none to comfort me,.... That is, the nations, as the Targum; the neighbouring ones, those that were her confederates and allies; the same with her lovers, as

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 1:21

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21

The nations contiguous to me, Egypt, &c., those that before courted me, as pretended friends, have been no strangers to my bitter afflictions, that have brought forth sighs from me; but there is none of them can or will comfort me, but give me over as in a desperate case. The Edomites, Obadiah 1, &c., and Moabites, and other heathen nations, with whom I have had hostility, they are glad at the great misery that hath befallen me. But thou hast declared thy pleasure for their destruction also, and hast by me proclaimed it, , and thou shalt in that day bring them into as sad a condition as the church of the Jews are now in. As they seldom in themselves feel those miseries which they have felt and compassionated in others; so men hardly escape their own share at last in those evils which they have rejoiced to see brought upon God’ s people.

Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21

Lamentations 1:21 They have heard that I sigh: [there is] none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done [it]: thou wilt bring the day [that] thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.Ver. 21. They have heard that I sigh,.] My friends have, and yet they pity me not: this was a great vexation, and is much complained of. See Lamentations 1:2; Lamentations 1:16-17; Lamentations 1:19. All mine enemies have heard of my trouble: they are glad.] This επιχαιρεκακια is the devil’ s disease: the wicked compose comedies out of the saints’ tragedies, and revel in their ruins. But God’ s people, in this case, have a double comfort: (1.) That God hath done it, and not the enemy; that he hath a holy hand in all the troubles that befall them. (2.) That their enemies shall not escape scot-free, but be soundly punished. That thou hast done it.] Or, But thou hast done it; and sure we are thou wilt not overdo. Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called.] The dismal day of vengeance that thou hast threatened Babylon with, especially by Isaiah and Jeremiah. And they shall be like unto me.] Their future desolation is my present consolation.

Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21

(21) They are glad that thou hast done it . . .—Historically the words refer to the conduct of nations like the Edomites, as described in Psalms 137:7. Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called.—Better, proclaimed. By some commentators the first verb is taken as a perfect, “Thou hast brought,” and the “day” is that of vengeance upon Judah. With the rendering of the Authorised version the clause coheres better with that which follows, and the “day” is that of the punishment of the exulting foes.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 1:21

Verse 21. They have heard that I sigh] My affliction is public enough; but no one comes to comfort me. They are glad that thou hast done it] On the contrary, they exult in my misery; and they see that THOU hast done what they were incapable of performing. Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.] Babylon shall be visited in her turn; and thy judgments poured out upon her shall equal her state with my own. See the last six chapters of the preceding prophecy for the accomplishment of this prediction.

Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 1:21

21. The second and third lines are metrically irregular, as failing to fulfil the conditions of the “limping rhythm” of the Ḳ ?inah. (See Intr. p. 321 f.) Löhr accordingly transposes “They are glad … done it” and “Thou wilt bring … proclaimed.” They have heard] This verb has perhaps been assimilated to the “have heard” of the next line. If so, by a very slight change in MT., we get an imperative, Hear thou. Cp. the imperative “Behold” at the commencement of Lam 1:20. Thou wilt bring] lit. Thou hast brought (a prophetic perfect). The day here spoken of is the day of retribution for Judah’s enemies. Cp. Jeremiah 25:17-26, in which passage Jerusalem and the neighbouring nations are all united in the same figure, as drinking in common of the cup of God’s wrath. For the use of “day” in the sense of destined time Greenup quotes Chaucer, Channones Yemannes Tale, II. I5 f. The arrangement of the second and third lines of the v. in MT. is metrically irregular. Löhr is probably right in transposing two clauses, and thus reading, “All mine enemies have heard of my trouble, thou hast brought the day that thou didst proclaim; They are glad that thou hast done it, let them be like unto me.” He thus makes “the day” to be that of Judah’s fall as foretold by the prophets, and makes the last clause expressive of a wish. It has also been suggested that for “Thou wilt bring” we should read the imperative, Bring thou.

Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 1:21

They have heard ... - Or, “They heard that I sigh,” that I have “no comforter.” Thou wilt bring the day ... - literally, thou hast brought “the day thou hast proclaimed, and they shall be like unto

Sermons on Lamentations 1:21

	Sermon	Description
	The Day That Will Right All Wrongs. by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar emphasizes the hope of a future day when God will right all wrongs, drawing parallels between the desolation of Jerusalem and the current state of the world filled w
	The Alphabetical Scriptures; or the Divine Acrostics by H.J. Vine	H.J. Vine preaches about the divine design and inspiration of Scripture, highlighting the intricate structure of the Alphabetical Scriptures, such as the Divine Acrostics, which po
	Does Doctrine Matter - Part 9 by Derek Melton	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of the doctrine of repentance in the Christian faith. He emphasizes that repentance is not a one-time event, but rather a lif
	Bible Survey - Micah by Peter Hammond	Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Micah, who highlighted the importance of justice, mercy, and humility in our walk with God. Micah condemned idolatry, immorality, and injustic