This is the nineteenth in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament. This is the third in the sub-series of major prophets, covering Lamentations.
a she - Zion - is desolate and devastated (1:1-11)
b I - Zion - was betrayed and defeated: there is none to help or comfort me (1:12-22)
c he - Yahweh - has caused this in his anger (2:1-8)
d they - princes, maidens, nurslings, children, mothers - suffer (2:9-12)
e you - Zion - should cry out to God (2:13-22)
f he - Yahweh - has afflicted me (3:1-20)
g CLIMAX: Yahweh's great love! (3:21-32)
f' he - Yahweh - afflicts humans (3:33-39)
e' you - Yahweh - to you I cry out (3:40-66)
d' they - princes, maidens, nurslings, children, mothers - suffer (4:1-10)
c' he - Yahweh - has caused this in his anger (4:11-16)
b' we - the people of Zion - were betrayed and defeated (4:17-22)
a' we - the people of Zion - are desolate and devastated (5:1-22)
This arrangement reflects the changing voice of the speaker as a key to the book's unity. The section consistently include 'mitigating notes' which, while they echo the same content, also strive to help make sense of the tragic circumstances, hoping to show God to be just despite circumstances which bring that into question.
The 'a' pattern emphasizes terrible reversal of Judah's fortunes. In both, the prosperous "days of old" are over. Gates are desolate. Fate of princes is discussed. There is desperation to acquire bread. Pursuers allow no rest, resulting from the fact that Judah has sinned. The second section has a mitigating note in a prayer: "Restore us, so that we may return!"
The 'b' pattern emphasizes the victorious rejoicing of Judah's foes. In the first section, the enemies rejoice over "my" fall. In the second, Edom rejoices. In both sections, allies fail to help. The section section has a mitigating note that Yahweh is just. He will restore Judah and punish Edom for her sins and iniquities.
The 'c' pattern emphasizes Yahweh's judgment. Both sections highlight that Yahweh has poured out his anger and wrath, which has devoured Zion like fire. The second section has a mitigating note that Yahweh is just. His punishment was for Judah's sins and iniquities.
The 'd' pattern emphasizes the suffering of numerous parties. Both sections highlight that children starve and perish in the town squares. The second section has a mitigating note that Yahweh is just. His punishment was because Judah's sins and iniquities were worse than Sodom's.
The 'e' pattern emphasizes crying out to God. Both sections emphasize letting tears stream down like a river without ceasing or rest. Both speak of enemies opening their mouths to boast, that Yahweh has slain without pity, and both sections discuss prayer. The second section has a mitigating note about prayer for Yahweh's justice.
The 'f' pattern emphasizes affliction. In the first section, a man complains on account of his affliction. In the second section, it says a man shouldn't complain if he suffers for sins. This section has a mitigating note that Yahweh does not enjoy afflicting humans.
The 'g' section is the climax, emphasizing Yahweh's great love. Dorsey writes: "The audience is ready for words of hope. These come in the seventh unit, whose inspiring lines form the high point and center of the book. This unit stands apart from its context simply by virtue of its positive content. Its lines express the poet's own resolution of the problem caused by the experience of Yahweh's judgment. The words indirectly serve as advice to his hearers: "Yahweh's kindness never ends; his love never ceases; it is renewed every morning; great is your faithfulness!...Therefore I will wait for him. Yahweh is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him...Yahweh will not cast off forever. Though he brings grief, he will show love, according to the greatness of his kindness!" (248)
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