Lamentations 1:1-22

Zion's Desolation and Sorrow

Though the five poems contained in the book have practically the same theme—the downfall of Jerusalem—yet each poem dwells on a different phase of the subject as intimated in the opening words of each chapter This first one emphasises the desolation and misery of the city, describing it as 'solitary,' as 'a widow,' and as 'tributary,' i.e. Judah has lost her independence; and there is 'no comforter,' Lamentations 1:2; Lamentations 1:9; Lamentations 1:17; Lamentations 1:21. It falls naturally into three sub-divisions, as seen below. In structure it is strictly alphabetical: each v. being of triple construction.

1-11. The poet laments Zion's utter desolation.