Lamentations 4: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Lamentations 4 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Zion's gold has become dim and its stones are scattered in the streets (vv. 1-2). The daughter of Zion exhibits cruelty, and even the jackals are more caring than the people (vv. 3-5). The iniquity of Zion exceeds that of Sodom. The leaders, once pure, now appear blackened and withered (vv. 6-10). Yahweh's wrath has been fulfilled, and His fierce anger has devastated Zion, surprising the kings and inhabitants of the world (vv. 11-14). The people cry out in despair, hunted and pursued, with no hope of rescue (vv. 15-20). Edom is called to rejoice, but judgment awaits them as Zion's punishment is complete. Yahweh will no longer carry the daughter of Zion into captivity, while Edom's sins will be uncovered (vv. 21-22).

Key verse

“Yahweh has accomplished his wrath. He has poured out his fierce anger. He has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured its foundations.”
Lamentations 4:11 (WEB)

Outline

Lamentations 4:1–2 The Dim Glory of Zion
Lamentations 4:3–5 Cruelty and Despair
Lamentations 4:6–10 Greater Iniquity Revealed
Lamentations 4:11–14 Divine Judgment Declared
Lamentations 4:15–20 Despair and Pursuit
Lamentations 4:21–22 Judgment on Edom and Hope for Zion

Discussion questions

In v1, what has happened to the gold of Zion?
What do the 'hands of the pitiful women' do in v10?
In v6, how is the iniquity of the daughter of my people compared to Sodom?
In v20, who is described as the 'breath of our nostrils'?
When have you experienced a situation where you felt abandoned, like the people in v17?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Lamentations 4: Psalm 91, Lamentations 2, Deuteronomy 28.

Before next time: read Lamentations 5.