Lamentations 2:19

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

Lamentations 2:19 (KJV)

Context

The book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, was written after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. It is a poetic expression of grief over the city’s devastation and the people’s suffering. This verse comes in the middle of that lament, after the city walls have fallen and starvation has gripped the streets.

Meaning

The verse opens with a command: “Arise, cry out in the night.” The people are told to shake off despair and actively plead with God, even during the night watches, which were the periods into which the night was divided. This is not a passive sorrow but an urgent call to prayer.

The phrase “pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord” pictures complete honesty in prayer. Water flows freely and without restraint; so the heart is to be poured out before God with all its fears, anxieties, and burdens. God invites His people to approach Him with authenticity, holding nothing back.

“Lift up thy hands toward him” is a physical gesture of supplication and dependence. By lifting hands, the worshiper acknowledges need and reaches out for mercy, help, and intervention. It is a posture of surrender and trust.

The specific focus of this prayer is “for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.” The children are starving in public places, where no one can relieve them. This detail highlights the desperation of the situation and directs intercession toward the most vulnerable.

Biblical connections

The preceding verse calls for tears to flow like a river (Lamentations 2:18), showing a progression from weeping to vocal, urgent prayer. The context of judgment due to disobedience is clear, yet the verse directs the afflicted to turn to God as the only source of help.

Application

This verse models a pattern of lament that is both honest about suffering and directed toward God in faith, even when circumstances seem hopeless. In times of crisis, believers are to persist in prayer, pouring out their deepest concerns and interceding for the most vulnerable, trusting that God hears and cares. Parents and caretakers are encouraged to lift up their hands in prayer for the well-being, protection, and provision of their children.

Reflection

God is our refuge and strength, and He hears the cries of His people. When distress feels overwhelming, the call is to arise, cry out, pour out the heart, and lift up hands toward Him, for both ourselves and those who cannot help themselves.