Lamentations, 5
13. Youths have been put to the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.
13. Youths have been put to the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.
Chapter 5 of lamentations is a prayer of the people of Judah to God, asking for mercy and helps in the midst of the destruction and exile they are facing. The verses related to the topics covered in the chapter are:
Psalm 79:8-9: "Do not remember our past iniquities; look at us, for we are plunged into great difficulties. Help us, O God, our Savior, because of the glory of your name. Deliver us and forgive us Our sins, for the sake of your name. " As in the Psalm, the people of Judah acknowledge that their sufferings are a consequence of their own sins, and ask God to forgive them and help them in their affliction.
Psalm 102:1-2: "Lord, hear my prayer! May my cry come to you! Don't hide your face on the day of my anguish! quickly." In this psalm, the psalmist begs God to hear his prayer in a moment of great distress, as well as the people of Judah in lamentations 5.
Psalm 74:1-3: "Why, O God, have you rejected us forever? Why is your wrath against the sheep of your pasture? Be the tribe of your inheritance; and from Mount Zion, where you dwell. Raise your steps to the eternal places plagued, to all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary. " Psalm 74 is a lamentation through the Jerusalem temple destroyed by the enemies, just as the city of Judah was destroyed and looted. The people of Judah in lamentations 5 asks God to remember them and restore their land.
Psalm 80:14-15: "Go back, O God of hosts! Look from heaven and see, and visit this vineyard; and protects it, for it is being destroyed by fire; cut it, rock it, by yours face rebukes your people. " Just as the psalmist asks God to protect and restore the vineyard in danger, the people of Judah in lamentations 5 asks God to restore His land and protect His people.
Isaiah 63:15-16: "Look from the heavens, and see from your holy and glorious housing. Where are your zeal and your powerful works? You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us; you, O Lord, are our Father; your name is from eternity. " These verses express an appeal of supplication to the Lord to intervene and show His tenderness and mercy to the people. Through lamentation, the authors of lamentation recognize their need for God and their trust in their faithfulness. Similarly, this verse asks God to show His love and care for His people, even if they may have moved away from Him or not have a complete understanding of their will.
“O medo excessivo nos faz agir sem amor, mas a confiança excessiva não nos deixa considerar o perigo que vamos enfrentar”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina