Lamentations 1:22
Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The prayer for God to judge Israel's enemies was eventually answered. Babylon, which destroyed Jerusalem, was itself conquered by Persia in 539 BC (Daniel 5, Isaiah 13-14, Jeremiah 50-51). Edom, which celebrated Judah's fall, was later destroyed (Obadiah 1:1-16, Jeremiah 49:7-22). The principle appears throughout Scripture: nations that harm God's people eventually face judgment (Genesis 12:3, Zechariah 2:8-9). However, timing differs from human expectations. Babylon ruled for decades before falling; Edom's destruction came gradually. Habakkuk 1-2 wrestles with this timing question. God's response: judgment will come at appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). The New Testament shows that ultimate justice occurs at final judgment (Revelation 6:10, 18:6-8, 20). Meanwhile, believers are called to love enemies, pray for persecutors, and trust God for vindication (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:17-21). The tension between imprecatory psalms and Jesus's love command resolves in understanding that personal forgiveness doesn't negate divine justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we balance praying for God's justice on evildoers with Jesus's command to love enemies and pray for persecutors?
- What does it mean to pray 'do unto them as You have done to me'—seeking proportionate justice rather than excessive revenge?
- How does bringing exhaustion and faintness of heart to God in prayer demonstrate faith even when we feel spiritually and emotionally depleted?
Analysis & Commentary
The chapter concludes with a sobering request: "Let all their wickedness come before thee" (tavo kol-ra'atam lefaneikha). This prayer appeals for divine justice on those who mocked and harmed Jerusalem. "And do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions" (ve'olel lamo ka'asher olalta li al kol-pesha'ai) requests equitable judgment—not excessive revenge but appropriate consequences. The verse acknowledges that what Jerusalem experienced ("as thou hast done unto me") was deserved ("for all my transgressions"). If God justly judged His own people, He must also judge their enemies. The final cry: "for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint" (ki-rabot anchoti ve-libi davai). Multiple sighs (rabot anchoti) and faint heart (libi davai) describe exhaustion and overwhelm. The chapter that began with desolation (verse 1) ends with personal collapse. Yet even this is presented to God—maintaining dialogue demonstrates faith. Total despair would be silence; continued petition shows hope remains.