41 How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.
41 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
41 How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street.
41 Oh, oh, oh . . . How gold is treated like dirt, the finest gold thrown out with the garbage, Priceless jewels scattered all over, jewels loose in the gutters.
41 How the gold has become dim! How changed the fine gold! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered At the head of every street.
41 How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets!
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
15 Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
(Read Proverbs 3:13-20)
No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it. This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief, remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our ways pleasantness, and our paths peace, for his are so; but we too often step aside from them, to our own hurt and grief. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made, and still are in being; happy are those to whom he is made of God wisdom. He has wherewithal to make good all his promises.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 4:1
Commentary on Lamentations 4:1-12
(Read Lamentations 4:1-12)
What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the most exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; its outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem are again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we may fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting, renewing, confirming grace.