Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:21
Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
21. Turn thou us ] suggestive of Jer 31:18, but see note there. Here the sense is not, bring back the exiles, but give us a repentant heart. Cp. Psa 80:3 ff.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. Renew our days as of old.] Restore us to our former state. Let us regain our country, our temple, and all the Divine offices of our religion; but, more especially, thy favour.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
See the like expression Jer 31:18. Turn thou us unto thee by giving us repentance, and then our condition will be altered; or receive us into thy favour, and then it shall be well with us. Renew our days as of old; restore us to our former estate, that it may be with us as it hath formerly been.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. (Psa 80:3;Jer 31:18). “Restore us tofavor with Thee, and so we shall be restored to our old position”[GROTIUS]. Jeremiah is notspeaking of spiritual conversion, but of that outward turning wherebyGod receives men into His fatherly favor, manifested in bestowingprosperity [CALVIN].Still, as Israel is a type of the Church, temporal goods typifyspiritual blessings; and so the sinner may use this prayer for God toconvert him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned,…. This prayer expresses the sense they had of their backslidings from God, and distance from him; of their inability to turn themselves to the Lord, or convert themselves; and of their need of divine grace, and of the efficacy of that to effect it; see Jer 31:18; for this is to be understood not only of returning them to their own land, and to the external worship of God in it; but of turning them to the Lord by true and perfect repentance, as the Targum; of the conversion of their hearts and the reformation of their lives:
renew our days as of old; for good, as the Targum adds. The request is, that their good days might be renewed; that they might enjoy the same peace and prosperity, and all good things in their own land, as they had done in days and years past: first they pray for repentance; then restoration.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In many Hebrew MSS Lam 5:21 is found repeated after Lam 5:22, to make the whole more suitable for public reading in the synagogue, that the poem may not end with the mention of the wrath of God, as is the case also at the close of Isaiah, Malachi, and Ecclesiastes: the intention is, to conclude with words of comfort. But v. 22, rightly understood, did not require this repetition: for, as Rhabanas has already remarked in Ghisleri commentar . on v. 22: non haec quasi desperando de salute populi sui locutus est, sed ut dolorem suum nimium de contritione et objectione diutina gentis suae manifestaret . This conclusion entirely agrees with the character of the Lamentations, in which complaint and supplication should continue to the end, – not, however, without an element of hope, although the latter may not rise to the heights of joyful victory, but, as Gerlach expresses himself, “merely glimmers from afar, like the morning star through the clouds, which does not indeed itself dispel the shadows of the night, though it announces that the rising of the sun is near, and that it shall obtain the victory.”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
The Prophet shews, in this verse, that the remedy is in God’s hand whenever he is pleased to succor his people. He, then, exalts here the power of God, as though he had said, that God is not without power, but that he can, whenever he pleases, help his people. This is not, indeed, a sufficient ground for confidence, yet it is the beginning of hope; for whence is it that despair weakens us, so that we cannot call on God? because we think that it is all over with us; and whence is this? because we impiously confine the power of God; nay, we in a manner, through our unbelief, repel his power, which would otherwise be exerted in our behalf. As, then, we thus close the door against God, when we extenuate his power, and think that our evils will prevail; it is, therefore, as I have said, the beginning of hope to believe that all the issues of death are in God’s hand, and that were we a hundred times swallowed up, yet he, by stretching forth his hand to us, can become the author of salvation to us at any moment.
This is now the argument which the Prophet handles, when he says, Turn us, O Jehovah, and we shall be turned; that is, “If thou, O Jehovah, be pleased to gather us, salvation is already certain to us.” And he does not speak here of repentance. There is, indeed, a twofold turning or conversion of men to God, and a twofold turning of God to men. There is all inward turning when God regenerates us by his own Spirit; and turning with respect to us is said to be the feeling of true religion, when, after having been alienated from him, we return to the right way and to a fight mind. There is also all exterior turning as to God, that is, when he so receives men into favor, that his paternal favor becomes apparent; but the interior turning of men to God takes place when they recover life and joy.
Of this second turning, then, does the Prophet now speak, Turn us, O Jehovah, and we shall be turned; that is, If thou, Jehovah, lookest on us, our condition will immediately become prosperous, for in thy hand there is a sure salvation for us.” As, then, the Jews were at that time like the dead, the Prophet says, that if it pleased God to gather them, they could in a moment, as they say, have been restored, as it is said also in the Psalms,
“
Thou takest away life, and all things change; send forth thy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” (Psa 104:29.)
As, then, God renews the face of the earth and restores it by only looking at it, hence now the Prophet says, that the Jews, though they had been destroyed, could yet be immediately restored, if it were the will of God to receive them into favor. (239)
He adds, Renew our days as of old. This is an explanation of the former clause — the renewing of days was restoration to their former state. God had been for many ages the deliverer of his people; under David had been their greatest happiness; under Solomon also they had greatly flourished; but from the time when God had redeemed his people, he had given, as we know, many and constant proofs of his favor and mercy. As, then, God’s goodness had, by so many evidences been made conspicuous, the Prophet now says, Renew our days as formerly, that is, “Restore us to that happiness, which was formerly a testimony of thy paternal favor towards thy people.” We now then perceive the meaning of the Prophet.
But it ought to be noticed, that he grounds his hope on the ancient benefits of God; for as God had formerly redeemed his people, had often helped the miserable, had poured forth on them, posterity fullness of blessings, hence the Prophet encourages himself to entertain good hope, and suggests also to others the same ground of confidence. We see that this was done often by David; for whenever he mentions ancient testimonies of God’s favor towards his people, he hence gathered, that God would extend the same goodness and kindness to posterity. It follows, —
(239) The meaning of this sentence is,” says Grotius, “Restore us to thy favor, that we may be restored to our ancient state.” This being evidently the meaning, the rendering ought to be this, —
Restore us, O Jehovah, to thyself, that we may be restored.
And as Calvin, as well as Grotius, says, the following line is a confirmation, —
Renew our days as of old.
—
Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) Turn thou us . . . O Lord . . .The answer to the problem was found in mans submission and in prayer. He could not turn himself, and so re-establish the old filial relation. He could ask God to turn him, and he felt that the prayer would not be asked in vain.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Turn you us unto you, O YHWH, and we will be turned,
Renew our days as of old.
Unless (ki ’im) you have utterly rejected us,
You are very angry against us.
But he also realises that they cannot expect YHWH to act if they remain unchanged. There had to be a true turning to God. But he recognises that it will not come just from the people themselves. So he calls on YHWH to right the situation. Let Him turn His people towards Himself, and then they will be turned. He recognises that man’s sinful condition is such that unless he is turned by the Lord he will not turn.
Let Him ‘renew their days as of old’. He recognises that what was needed was a complete renewal resulting from repentance and a true response to God. Compare Psa 51:12; Jer 31:18.
But then he adds a proviso, although he cannot really believe that it can be so. What if YHWH has utterly rejected them? What if He is still very angry with them? Those are the only reasons that he can think of as to why YHWH should not act.
And so the book ends on the note of a plea for true spiritual revival, subject to YHWH’s will and purposes. He has removed from despair to hope, a hope based on the salvation of God.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Lam 5:21-22. Renew our days, &c. Renew our days as of old; Lam 5:22. After thou hast rejected us and hast been very wroth against us. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The prophet, in the name of his afflicted people, presents their miserable case before the God of all mercy, intreating him to regard, consider, and remove the reproach under which they groan. And no tear, no sigh of the truly sincere passes unnoticed.
1. He lays their present wretched state before God in a variety of particulars, wherein their grievous reproach appeared. Deprived of the inheritance of their fathers, strangers have seized their estates, and dwell in the houses which they had built. In a natural, political, and spiritual sense, they were become orphans and widows; the men slain with the sword, their king removed, and God himself had forsaken them. In their captivity they were not only destitute of the comforts of life, but the very necessaries were hardly to be procured by them; even their water and their wood were to be purchased at an exorbitant rate. Groaning under heavy loads, scarcely would their heathen masters allow them sleep, and probably forbade them the observance of their sabbaths, wearing them out with incessant toil. For a morsel of bread, to relieve their hunger, they yielded their necks to bondage in Egypt and Assyria; and the meanest among the nations whither they were dispersed, tyrannized over them. To a state of such ignominy and wretched servitude were they reduced; and not a friend to interpose to mitigate their burdens, or deliver them from their bondage: or their heathen masters suffered their very servants to insult them without check or rebuke. During the siege, when, driven by hunger, any ventured to go without the walls in quest of provision, the sword of the wilderness, or of the plain, the Chaldeans, who guarded every avenue, exposed them to confront peril of their lives: scorched up with famine, their shrivelled skins looked black, as if burnt with fire. Sacrificed to brutal lust, their wives and virgins fell a prey to lawless ravishers. Their princes were hanged by their cruel conquerors, and perhaps, when dead, their bodies hanged up by their hand and exposed. The elders in age or office were insulted, and no respect paid to dignity or hoary locks. The young men are set to grind or carry the grist, as if they were beasts of burden; and the very children sink under their loads of wood, unable to sustain them. The courts of justice are no more; the judges slain, or captives: the voice of music silenced; their joy is fled, and all their gaiety exchanged for mourning. The crown is fallen, their king a prisoner, their kingdom enslaved. Note; This world is a scene of awful changes: we must look to a better for never-fading crowns and uninterrupted joy.
2. Their sins have provoked these judgments: they own and lament it. Our fathers have sinned, and are not, and we have borne their iniquities, having added their own provocations to the past, till they had filled up the measure of their sins; woe unto us, our case is deplorable and pitiable, that we have sinned; and, having nothing to plead in indication of themselves, they cast their souls upon the free grace and mercy of God, acknowledging the justice of all that they suffered; for this our heart is faint, both for their miseries and their sins; for these things our eyes are dim with weeping, because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the city and temple in ruins; the foxes walk upon it, without interruption as in the desert. Note;
(1.) Among the bitterest griefs that affect the hearts of the pious, are the desolations of Zion, the afflictions of God’s church and people. (2.) Sin is the root of all our sorrows, and more to be lamented than all the sufferings which it occasions.
2nd, The people of God, for whom the prophet speaks,
1. Express their dependance upon God. Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever, the same unchangeable Jehovah, faithful to all his promises; and therefore his believing people may comfort themselves in him, to whatever troubles they are exposed: thy throne from generation to generation; his dominion is eternal; and he who rules over all will over-rule every event for the good of them that love him. While Zion’s God reigns, his saints need never despair.
2. They expostulate with God on their unhappy case. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? It had been long, and they were ready to fear that it would be for ever; yea, every moment of his displeasure seemed an age to them; and their unbelief was ready often to suggest, but thou hast utterly rejected us, and there is no more hope; thou art very wroth against us, to consume us. Or the words may be read, For hast thou utterly rejected us? wilt thou be very wroth against us? Humble expostulations are allowable: we may reason with God concerning his judgments, though we may not quarrel with him on account of them.
3. They pray. Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned. Conscious of their sad departures from him, and their utter inability to help themselves, they look to him who alone can work the mighty change. Renew our days as of old: bring us to our former state of happiness, and enable us to imitate the examples of our pious ancestors. This verse is repeated at last, after the following one, by the Jewish rabbins, who would not have the book conclude with the last melancholy words. Note; However dark the scene may close upon God’s suffering saints on earth, let them patiently and perseveringly commend their souls to him, and then they shall quickly wake up in glory, honour, and immortality.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Lam 5:21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
Ver. 21. Turn thou us unto thee. ] That thou mayest turn thee to us. as Zec 1:3 Let there be a thorough reformation wrought in us, and then a gracious restoration wrought for us.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Turn Thou us. National repentance was the one abiding condition of national blessing, and this must be Jehovah’s own work.
unto Thee = unto Thyself.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Turn: 1Ki 18:37, Psa 80:3, Psa 80:7, Psa 80:19, Psa 85:4, Jer 31:18, Jer 32:39, Jer 32:40, Eze 11:19, Eze 11:20, Eze 36:25-27, Eze 36:37, Hab 3:2
renew: Jer 31:4, Jer 31:23-25, Jer 33:10, Jer 33:13, Zec 8:3-6, Mal 3:4
Reciprocal: 2Ch 30:6 – turn again Dan 9:13 – that we Amo 9:11 – as in Mic 7:14 – as Act 3:19 – be
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lam 5:21. This verse may properly be regarded both as prophecy and present, desire. The unfortunate citizens of Judah were then in a state of complete dejection; those especially who were in the land of Babylon. They did not have the heart to sing religious songs, but instead they hanged their harps on the willows of the streams and sat down on the banks to meditate. This was also prophesied hundreds of years before by David in the 137th Psalm.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
5:21 {l} Turn thou us to thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
(l) By which is declared that it is not in man’s power to turn to God, but is only his work to convert us, and thus God works in us before we can turn to him, Jer 31:18 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jeremiah prayed for Yahweh’s restoration of the nation to Himself. Only His action would result in restoration. The prophet cried out for renewal of the nation to its former condition of strength and blessing.
"God is the only source of true revival." [Note: Price, p. 701.]