17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.
17 Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us.
17 Our eyes failed, ever watching vainly for help; in our watching we watched for a nation which could not save.
17 We watched and watched, wore our eyes out looking for help. And nothing. We mounted our lookouts and looked for the help that never showed up.
17 Still our eyes failed us, Watching vainly for our help; In our watching we watched For a nation that could not save us.
17 We looked in vain for our allies to come and save us, but we were looking to nations that could not help us.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 4:17
Commentary on Lamentations 4:13-20
(Read Lamentations 4:13-20)
Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The king himself cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our anointed King alone is the life of our souls; we may safely live under his shadow, and rejoice in Him in the midst of our enemies, for He is the true God and eternal life.