5. Hath builded against me As besiegers enclose a city. Gall and travail A most extraordinary combination surely, but not unlike Jeremiah. “Gall” is the name of a bitter plant which has come to be synonymous with keen suffering, and so it seems to be used here co-ordinate with “travail.” read more
6. Dark places Literally, in darkness; that is, in sheol. Dead of old Literally, dead of eternity; namely, those who shall never return to life. read more
7. Chain Literally, brass. The figure is that of a prisoner shut up in an enclosure and loaded with heavy fetters. read more
9. Hewn stones would be of considerable size, and employed to make a strong wall. The term enclosed is the same as “hedged” in Lamentations 3:7. Made my paths crooked Rather, he hath turned aside my paths, so that I cannot go forward. read more
10. As a bear… in wait This is one of several allusions in the poetical and prophetical books, harmonizing with certain passages in the historical books, such as 1 Samuel 17:34; 1 Samuel 17:36-37; 2 Samuel 17:8, which imply that in Old Testament times the bear was a common animal in this land. The figure of “a bear lying in wait” occurs only here. Nagelsbach renders: A lurking bear was he to me, a lion in ambush. read more
11. Pulled… in pieces The figure of a beast of prey still continues. He turns him from the path and tears him “in pieces.” read more
12. Bent his bow From the wild beast which is hunted, the figure now changes to the hunter, who is armed with bow and arrow. So the intensity of the whole passage is promoted. Not only the beast of prey, but also the hunter, is against him. read more
13. Arrows of his quiver Better, as the margin, sons “of his quiver.” These are, of course, the ills and misfortunes sent upon him by God. read more
14. My people “There is no reason, but the contrary, for changing (with Ewald) ‘my people’ into peoples.” R. PAYNE SMITH, in the Speaker’s Commentary. So also Keil, Nagelsbach, Gerlach, and others. That even these fearful judgments, so clearly foretold and fully identified as from God, did not subdue and turn the people from their obstinacy and rebellion, and bring them to see the prophet in his true character, is sufficiently evident from Jeremiah 41:1, etc., Jeremiah 43:2, and... read more
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Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:4
4. Flesh and… skin… made old The verb means to wear out by rubbing. Flesh, skin, and bones make up the whole body; the softer and the firmer parts. read more