Lamentations 5:20

Why do you forget us for ever,

And forsake us for so long a time?

The incongruity of the situations in which God's people found themselves as described in this chapter, as compared with YHWH's eternal throne, now raises questions in the prophet's mind. Why does this powerful almighty King leave them in this parlous state. Why is He taking so long to remedy the situation? So the cry goes up from his heart:

Why do you forget us for ever,

And forsake us for so long a time?

The years had ground past and the time seemed endless. It had been such a long time. Why then did YHWH not DO something? Had He really determined to forget them for ever? Had He forsaken hem permanently?

Of course, by praying this the prophet was not expressing his own conviction, he was seeking to stir up God's compassion as He looked down on what they were enduring. He was hoping He would act NOW.