Lamentations 5:21 - Turn us to yourself, Yahweh, and we will be turned. Renew our days as of old.

Generated Verse: Lamentations 5:21

What does "Lamentations 5:21" mean?


Lamentations 5:21, "Turn us to yourself, Yahweh, and we will be turned. Renew our days as of old," is a powerful cry for restoration and repentance from a people facing immense suffering. Let's break down its meaning:

"Turn us to yourself, Yahweh...": This is a plea directed to God (Yahweh) asking for Him to initiate a return to a right relationship. The people recognize that they are in a state of separation from God, and that they are powerless to change this on their own. They are acknowledging their waywardness and dependence on God's grace. The "turn" signifies a shift in allegiance, focus, and behavior back towards God.

"...and we will be turned.": This is an expression of faith and a confession of human inability. They understand that true transformation comes from God's action, not from their own efforts. It's acknowledging that they can only return to Him if He draws them back. This also suggests a willingness to respond to God's initiative. They are saying, "If you turn us, we will follow." This implies repentance and a desire to obey.

"Renew our days as of old.": This is a desire for a return to a former, better state. "Days of old" often refers to a time when the people were in covenant relationship with God, experiencing His blessings and favor. It's a longing for a restoration of the joy, security, and prosperity they once knew. They are not just asking for survival, but for a restoration of their spiritual and national identity, a return to their purpose and blessing under God's guidance. They are asking for their covenant relationship with God to be renewed.

In Summary:

The verse expresses a humble and desperate plea for God's intervention. It acknowledges the people's need for repentance, their inability to return to God on their own strength, and their longing for a restoration of their relationship with Him and the blessings associated with that relationship. The verse hinges on the idea that God must act first to bring about true change in their hearts and lives.

Theological Significance:

Sovereignty of God: It highlights God's role as the initiator of salvation and restoration.
Human Dependence: It emphasizes human dependence on God's grace.
Repentance: It implies a recognition of sin and a desire to turn away from it.
Restoration: It speaks to the hope of renewal and a return to a right relationship with God.
Covenant Theology: It hints at the desire to return to a covenant relationship with God.

In the context of Lamentations, a book filled with grief and sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem, this verse offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that even in the darkest of times, repentance and a plea for God's mercy can lead to restoration.

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