Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.
LAMENTATIONS 2:19KJVWhat does Lamentations 2:19 mean?
Lamentations 2:19 urges the people to rise during the night and pour out their grief and prayers to God, especially for their starving children. The verse calls for heartfelt, urgent prayer, asking God to notice the suffering of the young ones who are fainting from hunger in the streets.
The speaker is the writer of Lamentations, traditionally understood as Jeremiah, addressing the people of Jerusalem after the Babylonian destruction of the city. The verse paints a vivid picture of desperate parents and community members, awake in the night watches, lifting their hands and hearts to God because their children are suffering so deeply. The language is raw and emotional, emphasizing the depth of sorrow and the need for honest, direct appeal to God in a time of crisis.
The Hebrew behind Lamentations 2:19
- "Pour out" (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): This word means to spill or empty out completely, like water. The verse uses it to describe expressing every feeling and sorrow before God, holding nothing back.
- "Heart" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of emotion, will, and thought. Pouring out the heart means sharing the deepest pain and longing, not just surface words.
- "Watches" (אַשְׁמוּרוֹת, ashmoret): The night was divided into periods called watches. Mentioning the "beginning of the watches" highlights praying at times when most people would be asleep, showing the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
- "Faint" (עָטַף, ataf): This word describes becoming weak or collapsing, often from exhaustion or hunger. It underlines the real, physical suffering of the children in Jerusalem.
Why Lamentations 2:19 matters
- Lamentations 2:19 shows that honest, emotional prayer—even in the darkest hours—is encouraged in the Bible, not just formal or routine words.
- The verse highlights the communal responsibility to care and pray for the most vulnerable, especially children, during times of disaster.
- This verse connects the people's suffering directly to their relationship with God, showing that even in judgment and tragedy, they are invited to seek God's attention and mercy.