Old Testament
Lamentations 2:19
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Get up and cry out in the night, at the start of every watch! Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands to him for the lives of your little children, who are fainting from hunger at the corner of every street.
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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.
What Lamentations 2:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Lamentations 2:19, the author urges the people to wake up and cry out to God during the night, a time often associated with deep reflection and sorrow. The phrase 'pour out your heart like water' suggests a need for honest and heartfelt prayer, expressing deep anguish and desperation. The call to lift hands towards God signifies a plea for help and intervention, particularly for the vulnerable, such as young children suffering from hunger. This verse highlights the importance of turning to God in times of distress, especially for those who are powerless and in need. It emphasizes the urgency of prayer and the need to intercede for others, particularly in dire situations. The imagery of children fainting from hunger paints a vivid picture of the suffering experienced by the community, making the call to action even more poignant. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, prayer, and seeking divine assistance in times of crisis.
How to apply Lamentations 2:19 to your life
In times of personal or communal crisis, we should not hesitate to cry out to God in prayer. This verse encourages us to intercede for those who are vulnerable, especially children, and to express our deepest concerns and needs to God, trusting in His mercy and provision.
Curated for this public verse page. Lamentations Summary
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At a Glance — the Book of Lamentations
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah
- Written
- Around 586 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and lament
- Original Audience
- Judah after the fall of Jerusalem
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Lamentations 2:19 mean?
Lamentations 2:19 calls for urgent prayer and heartfelt cries to God during times of distress, particularly for the suffering of vulnerable children. It emphasizes the need for honest expression of grief and a plea for divine intervention.
What is the significance of 'pour out your heart like water' in Lamentations 2:19?
The phrase 'pour out your heart like water' signifies the importance of sincere and open prayer, encouraging individuals to express their deepest emotions and needs to God, especially in times of crisis.
How can I apply Lamentations 2:19 in my life?
You can apply Lamentations 2:19 by actively praying for those in need, especially vulnerable individuals like children, and by expressing your own struggles to God, trusting in His help during challenging times.
What does lifting hands toward God mean in Lamentations 2:19?
Lifting hands toward God in this verse symbolizes a plea for help and a gesture of surrender, indicating a desire for divine assistance and intervention in times of suffering.
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