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!
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.