panic and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction;
The Prophet piles on the grievousness of what happened: panic and pitfall, the people hemmed in on every side, nowhere to turn, filled with dread and looking desperately for escape but seeing only traps. No outlet, no relief. That is their strait: overwhelmed by desolation and ruin with no way out.
AI summary
It is easier to chide ourselves for complaining than to chide ourselves out of it. The Prophet owns his sin and calls it rebellion, laying the load upon himself; yet the wound bleeds afresh when he considers that his sins are confessed but not pardoned, his case pitiable but unpitied. In sharp trials we must think and speak kindly of God even when our souls are cast down.
AI summary
Commenting on Lamentations 3:42-54
The prophet speaks for the people: enemies hunted them like a helpless bird flushed from cover, darting place to place until caught. They did nothing to provoke such pursuit, the Chaldeans chased without cause or reason, pure malice.
AI summary