V. A Prayer For Mercy (5:1-22)

This last lament again acknowledges sin as the cause of the present misfortune of God’s people. V.7 reflects a common belief held by the exiled community (see Eze 18). The community is under judgment not only because of the sins of the fathers, but also because of their own sins. Hence the confession “We have sinned” (v.16) is appropriate. The judgment is the clear evidence of the sovereignty of God and his kingship from generation to generation (v.19). The lament ends with an earnest appeal for the restoration of God’s people. The apostate nation’s future depends entirely on God’s will to restore them unto himself. The writer is certain that the Eternal King and the Sovereign Lord will not reject or be angry forever with a repentant sinner (vv.19-22).