Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Lamentations
Book: Lamentations
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The deplorable state of the nation is contrasted with its
ancient prosperity.
1-12 What a change is here!
Sin tarnishes the beauty of the
most exalted powers and the most excellent
Gifts; but that
Gold,
tried in the
Fire, which
Christ bestows, never will be taken
from us; its outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real
value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and
Destruction of
Jerusalem are again described. Beholding the sad
consequences of
Sin in the
Church of old, let us seriously
consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the
Church now. But,
Lord, though we have gone from thee in
rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we
may fear thy name. Come to us,
Bless us with awakening,
converting, renewing, confirming
Grace.
13-20 Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the
Measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The
King
himself cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our
anointed
King alone is the
Life of our souls; we may safely live
under his
Shadow, and rejoice in Him in the midst of our
enemies, for He is the true
God and eternal
Life.
21,22 Here it is foretold that an
End should be
Put to Zion's
troubles. Not the
Fulness of
Punishment deserved, but of what
God has determined to inflict. An
End shall be
Put to
Edom's
triumphs. All the troubles of the
Church and of the believer
will soon be accomplished. And the doom of their enemies
approaches. The
Lord will bring their sins to
Light, and they
shall
Lie down in eternal sorrow.
Edom here represents all the
enemies of the
Church. And the corruption, and
Sin of
Israel,
which the
Prophet has proved to be universal, justifies the
judgments of the
Lord. It shows the need of that
Grace in
Christ
Jesus, which the
Sin and corruption of all mankind make
So
necessary.