Lamentations 3:52

“Mine enemies chased me sore like a bird, etc.] That is weak and helpless, fearful and timorous; that flees from place to place when pursued; so it was with the prophet, or rather with the people of the Jews he represents; for here and in the following verses he speaks not only of himself, but of them; who, when they fled out of the city, were chased and pursued by the Chaldeans like a bird, till they were taken; (see <245207>Jeremiah 52:7-9); without cause; which may be connected with the word “enemies”, so the Targum; who were so without cause; they had done them no injury, to make them their enemies; and without reason pursued and chased them in the manner they did.”

“a bird--which is destitute of counsel and strength. The allusion seems to be to Pro 1:17 [CALVIN]. without cause-- (Psa 69:4; Psa 109:3-4). Type of Messiah (Joh 15:25).”

“Or, “They who without cause are mine enemies have hunted me sore like a bird.” Probably the prophet is speaking of his personal sorrows. return to 'Top of Page'”

“3:52-57 This passage might refer to Jeremiah’s experience in the cistern (Jer 37:11-15; 38:1-13).”

“chased: Jer 37:15, Jer 37:16, Jer 38:4-6 without: Sa1 24:10-15, Sa1 25:28, Sa1 25:29, Sa1 26:18-20; Psa 35:7, Psa 35:19, Psa 69:4, Psa 109:3, Psa 119:161; Jer 37:18; Joh 15:25 Lamentations 3:53”

“His pain and sorrow over the sad condition of the people recall to his memory the persecutions and sufferings which the godly have endured. The figure, "They who without cause are mine enemies have hunted me like a bird," is an imitation of Psa 11:1. איבי חנּם reminds one of שׂנאי , Psa 35:19 and Psa 69:5. But the prophet prefers איבי to שׂנאי, lest any one should restrict the words to persecutions which arose out of personal hatred. Lamentations 3:53”