Lament — Meaning in the Bible
A prayer or song of grief, complaint or distress brought honestly to God. About a third of the psalms are laments.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Laments often move from complaint ("How long, LORD?") through petition to trust. David lamented over Saul and Jonathan. Psalm 13:1–62 Samuel 1:17–27
The book of Lamentations mourns Jerusalem's destruction, yet in its centre it remembers God's faithfulness. Lamentations 1:1–2Lamentations 3:21–24
Key passages
- Psalm 13 — How long?
- Psalm 22:1–2 — My God, why have you forsaken me?
- 2 Samuel 1:17–27 — David's lament.
- Lamentations 3:19–24 — Hope in the middle of grief.