Lamentations 2:19

Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.

Study Bible

Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night.
This phrase emphasizes the urgency and desperation of the situation. In ancient Israel, the night was divided into watches, with the first watch occurring from sunset to around 10 PM. Crying out during this time signifies a deep, immediate need for divine intervention. The act of rising and crying out in the night reflects a posture of earnest prayer and supplication, often seen in times of distress throughout the Bible, such as in Psalm 119:147 and Mark 1:35, where Jesus Himself rises early to pray. This call to prayer in the night underscores the severity of Jerusalem's plight following the Babylonian siege.

Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.
The imagery of pouring out one's heart like water suggests complete vulnerability and openness before God. Water, once poured out, cannot be gathered back, symbolizing total surrender and transparency. This metaphor is echoed in Psalm 62:8, where believers are encouraged to trust in God and pour out their hearts to Him. In the context of Lamentations, this act of pouring out is a plea for mercy and relief from suffering. It reflects the biblical principle that God desires sincere and heartfelt prayer, as seen in the prayers of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:15 and David in Psalm 142:2.

Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.
Lifting hands in prayer is a biblical gesture of seeking God's help and blessing, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:8 and Psalm 28:2. This act signifies dependence on God and a plea for His intervention. The mention of children fainting from hunger highlights the dire consequences of the Babylonian siege, where famine and deprivation were rampant. This imagery is a poignant reminder of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:53-57, where disobedience to God would lead to such calamities. The suffering of children underscores the depth of the nation's distress and the urgent need for repentance and divine aid. The reference to the corners of every street indicates the widespread nature of the suffering, emphasizing the totality of the devastation experienced by Jerusalem.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
- Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem.

2. Jerusalem
- The city that has been destroyed, leading to the lament and mourning expressed in this book.

3. The Children of Jerusalem
- Represent the innocent victims suffering due to the sins of the nation, highlighting the dire consequences of disobedience to God.

4. The Watches of the Night
- Refers to the divisions of the night into periods for keeping watch, a time for vigilance and prayer.

5. The Presence of the Lord
- The place of divine encounter, where the people are encouraged to pour out their hearts in prayer.

Teaching Points

The Power of Nighttime Prayer
Nighttime is a powerful time for prayer and reflection. It is a time of quiet and solitude, allowing for deep communion with God. Believers are encouraged to use this time to seek God's presence earnestly.

Pouring Out Your Heart
The imagery of pouring out one's heart like water signifies complete transparency and vulnerability before God. This teaches us the importance of being honest and open in our prayers, holding nothing back from our Creator.

Intercession for the Next Generation
The verse highlights the importance of interceding for the younger generation. In times of crisis, lifting up the needs of children and future generations is crucial, as they are often the most affected by societal issues.

The Role of Lament in Faith
Lament is a vital part of the Christian faith, allowing believers to express grief and sorrow while still trusting in God's sovereignty. It is a form of worship that acknowledges human suffering and divine compassion.

The Urgency of Repentance and Prayer
The call to arise and cry out signifies urgency. In times of national or personal crisis, immediate repentance and prayer are necessary responses to seek God's intervention and mercy.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the practice of nighttime prayer enhance your personal relationship with God, and what steps can you take to incorporate it into your routine?

2. In what ways can you pour out your heart to God more transparently, and how does this practice impact your spiritual life?

3. How can you actively intercede for the younger generation in your community, and what specific needs should you bring before God?

4. Reflect on a time when lament played a role in your faith journey. How did it help you process grief and draw closer to God?

5. Considering the urgency of the call to prayer in Lamentations 2:19, what immediate steps can you take to address a current crisis in your life or community through prayer and repentance?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 62:8
- Encourages believers to trust in God at all times and pour out their hearts before Him, similar to the call in Lamentations 2:19.

1 Samuel 1:15
- Hannah's pouring out of her soul before the Lord in prayer, demonstrating heartfelt supplication.

Joel 1:14
- A call to gather and cry out to the Lord in times of national distress, paralleling the communal lament in Lamentations.

Matthew 11:28-30
- Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him, offering rest, which aligns with the call to seek God in times of distress.

Philippians 4:6-7
- Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace that guards hearts and minds.