Lamentations 5:22

“But thou hast utterly rejected us, etc.] That looks as if they had no hope, and were in despair of having their petitions granted; since God had entirely rejected them from being his people, and would never more have mercy on them; but the words may be rendered, “though thou hast in rejecting rejected us” f148; or else, “unless thou hast utterly rejected us” f149; or rather by an interrogation, “for wilt thou utterly reject”, or “despise us?” f150 surely thou wilt not; such is thy grace and goodness: thou art very wroth against us; thou hast been, and still continuest to be: or, “wilt thou be exceeding wroth against us?” f151 or continue thy wrath to extremity, and for ever? thou wait not;…”

“Rather, "Unless haply Thou hast utterly rejected us, and art beyond measure wroth against us," that is, Unless Thou art implacable, which is impossible, hear our prayer [CALVIN]. Or, as Margin, "For wouldest Thou utterly reject us?" &c.--No; that cannot be. The Jews, in this book, and in Isaiah and Malachi, to avoid the ill-omen of a mournful closing sentence, repeat the verse immediately preceding the last [CALVIN]. Next: Ezekiel Introduction”

“Literally, “Unless thou hast utterly rejected us,” unless “thou art very wroth against us.” This is stated as a virtual impossibility. God’s anger can be but temporary Psalms 30:5, and therefore the very supposition is an indirect expression of hope. This verse speaks of the possibility of an utter rejection through God’s wrath. Therefore, to remove so painful a thought, and to make the book more suited for public reading, Lamentations 5:21 is repeated in many manuscripts intended for use in the synagogue. The same rule is observed in the synagogue with the two last verses of Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, and Malachi. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public…”

“5:22 have you utterly rejected us? The tragedy of the Exile raised the question of whether God would forgive sin and restore his people. God answered clearly through the prophets (Isa 40:27-31; 41:8-20) and by sending Christ (Matt 9:2-6; 26:28; Luke 24:47).”

“But thou hast utterly rejected us: or, For wilt thou utterly reject us, Psa 44:9, Psa 60:1, Psa 60:2; Jer 15:1-5; Eze 37:11; Hos 1:6 Next: Ezekiel Introduction”