16 The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
16 The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!
16 The crown of glory has toppled from our head. Woe! Woe! Would that we'd never sinned!
16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
16 The garlands have fallen from our heads. Weep for us because we have sinned.
39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust.
39 You tore up the promise you made to your servant, you stomped his crown in the mud.
39 You have renounced the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
39 You have renounced your covenant with him; you have thrown his crown in the dust.
(Read Psalm 89:38-52)
Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile God's providences with his promises, yet we are sure that God's works fulfil his word. When the great Anointed One, Christ himself, was upon the cross, God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void his covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of the house of David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid in the dust; but there is a crown of glory reserved for Christ's spiritual seed, which fadeth not away. From all this complaint learn what work sin makes with families, noble families, with families in which religion has appeared. They plead with God for mercy. God's unchangeableness and faithfulness assure us that He will not cast off those whom he has chosen and covenanted with. They were reproached for serving him. The scoffers of the latter days, in like manner, reproach the footsteps of the Messiah when they ask, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:3,4. The records of the Lord's dealings with the family of David, show us his dealings with his church, and with believers. Their afflictions and distresses may be grievous, but he will not finally cast them off. Self-deceivers abuse this doctrine, and others by a careless walk bring themselves into darkness and distress; yet let the true believer rely on it for encouragement in the path of duty, and in bearing the cross. The psalm ends with praise, even after this sad complaint. Those who give God thanks for what he has done, may give him thanks for what he will do. God will follow those with his mercies, who follow him with praises.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 5:16
Commentary on Lamentations 5:1-16
(Read Lamentations 5:1-16)
Is any afflicted? Let him pray; and let him in prayer pour out his complaint to God. The people of God do so here; they complain not of evils feared, but of evils felt. If penitent and patient under what we suffer for the sins of our fathers, we may expect that He who punishes, will return in mercy to us. They acknowledge, Woe unto us that we have sinned! All our woes are owing to our own sin and folly. Though our sins and God's just displeasure cause our sufferings, we may hope in his pardoning mercy, his sanctifying grace, and his kind providence. But the sins of a man's whole life will be punished with vengeance at last, unless he obtains an interest in Him who bare our sins in his own body on the tree.