Lamentations 5:22

But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

Lamentations 5:22 (KJV)

Context

The book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourns the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the exile of Judah. This final verse follows the prayer in Lamentations 5:21 asking the Lord to turn His people back to Himself and renew their days as of old.

Meaning

The verse acknowledges that God has rejected His people. Judah faced severe judgment—the destruction of their city and temple, and captivity in Babylon—as a direct consequence of persistent rebellion and idolatry. The verse also states that God was very angry; throughout Lamentations, Jeremiah describes the devastating results of God’s wrath, including famine, war, and loss of land. This emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the weight of divine judgment.

The Hebrew wording allows for alternative renderings, such as “unless you have utterly rejected us” or “or have you rejected us forever?” These translations soften the statement into a plea or rhetorical question, reflecting hope that God’s rejection is not final. Following the prayer in Lamentations 5:21, this lament is not mere despair but a cry for restoration. Its placement at the book’s end leaves unresolved tension, yet within the context of the preceding prayer, it functions as a desperate appeal for God to relent.

Biblical connections

The people’s acknowledgment of rejection is a step toward repentance; they do not excuse their sin but confess it. This verse should be understood in light of the entire chapter, which lists calamities and ends with this plea. It is not a statement of absolute finality but a lament that seeks to move God to action. The Christian reader sees here the consequences of sin, but also the hope that God, who is merciful, may turn again to His people.

Application

Lamentations 5:22 reminds us of the seriousness of sin and its consequences. It encourages us to examine our lives, repent, and seek God’s forgiveness. It highlights the need to recognize God’s righteous anger against sin and to turn to Him in humility. The verse challenges believers to take sin seriously, to lament over it, and to cry out for restoration, trusting that God’s discipline is not abandonment. It also points to the need for a mediator, as the people’s plea is based on God’s covenant faithfulness, not their own merit.

Reflection

Lamentations 5:22 reflects the anguish of God’s people in the face of divine judgment, yet it encourages us to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, recognizing His faithfulness even in great distress.