Lamentations 5:21 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 5:21 mean?

Lamentations 5:21 is a prayer asking God to bring the people back to Himself and restore them to a better time, as things were before their suffering. The verse expresses hope that God can change their hearts and renew their lives, returning them to the days when they felt close to Him.

In this verse, the speaker is the community of Judah, devastated after Jerusalem’s destruction. They are addressing the LORD directly, admitting their need for God’s help to truly turn back to Him. The request to “renew our days as of old” shows a longing for restoration—not just physically, but spiritually, to the relationship they once had with God.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 5:21

• “Turn” and “turned” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to return, bring back, or restore. The repetition in the verse highlights that the people recognize only God can truly bring about their return to Him; they cannot do it on their own.
• “Renew” (חָדַשׁ, chadash): This word means to make new or restore. Here, it emphasizes a longing not just for past circumstances, but for a fresh start and a renewal of their relationship with God.
• “Days” (יוֹם, yom) and “old” (קֶדֶם, qedem): Together, these words refer to earlier times, often understood as better days before disaster struck. The people are asking for a return to those former, more hopeful times.

Why Lamentations 5:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that true spiritual renewal is something the people feel only God can accomplish; it is not just about their effort, but about God’s initiative.
• Lamentations 5:21 stands out as a hopeful plea in a book filled with sorrow, showing that even in deep despair, the people still look to God for restoration.
• The verse connects the community’s suffering to their relationship with God, emphasizing that restoration is not just about physical rebuilding, but about being spiritually renewed and reconciled to God.