第三首哀歌—为那与受惩罚的百姓联合为一，受困苦之先知哀悼的诗歌
先知（代表他百姓）的困苦：一至二十节说到先知（代表他百姓）的困苦。这困苦是因耶和华忿怒的杖（1-17）。先知（代表他百姓）的力量，和他在耶和华里的指望，都衰败了（18）。在十九至二十节先知说，“求你记念我如茵蔯和苦胆的困苦流离。我魂想念这些，就在里面忧闷。”这一切经文里所描述的困苦，耶利米并没有亲身遭遇。然而，在他的感觉里，在他的同情里，他就在受同样的困苦。
先知（代表他百姓）的盼望：在二十一至三十九节，我们看见先知（代表他百姓）的盼望。先知的盼望在于耶和华的慈爱、怜恤和信实；耶和华是他的分（21-24）。他藉着等候祂并寻求祂的救恩而仰望耶和华（25-30）。同时他倚靠主的作为和审判（31-39）。
先知向他百姓的要求：四十至五十四节是先知向他百姓的要求。首先，他要求他们察验自己的行径，又当转向耶和华（40-41）。然后他要求他们为自己的犯罪悖逆悔改，他们的犯罪悖逆使主向他们遮蔽自己，并激动他们的仇敌毁灭他们（42-54）。
先知（代表他百姓）向耶和华的祷告：五十五至六十六节是先知（代表他百姓）向耶和华的祷告。他呼求耶和华的名，求祂申明他们的冤，并审判他们的案件（55-62）。然后他求耶和华因他们仇敌的邪恶，向他们施行报应（63-66）。
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The Third Lamentation (1) — Lam. 3:22-26
The Third Lamentation – A Lamentation over the Afflicted Prophet Identified with His Punished People
The Prophet’s (Representing His People’s) Affliction: Lam 3:1 through 20 are the prophet’s (representing his people’s) affliction. This affliction was by the rod of Jehovah’s wrath (Lam 3:1-17). Both the prophet’s (representing his people’s) strength and his hope in Jehovah had perished (Lam 3:18). In Lam 3:19 and 20 the prophet says, “Remember my affliction and my wandering, / The wormwood and the gall. / My soul remembers them well / And is bowed down within me.”
The Prophet’s (Representing His People’s) Hope: In Lam. 3:21 through 39 we see the prophet’s (representing his people’s) hope. The prophet’s hope was in the lovingkindness, compassions, and faithfulness of Jehovah, who was his portion (Lam. 3:21-24). He hoped in Jehovah by waiting on Him and seeking after Him for His salvation (Lam. 3:25-30), while depending on the Lord’s doing and judging (Lam. 3:31-39).
The Prophet’s Request to His People: In Lam. 3:40 through 54 we have the prophet’s request to his people. First, he requests that they would examine their ways and turn again to Jehovah (Lam. 3: 40-41). Then he requests that they repent of their transgressions and rebellion that caused the Lord to cover Himself from them and to stir up their enemies to destroy them (Lam. 3:42-54).
The Prophet’s (Representing His People’s) Prayer to Jehovah: In Lam. 3:55 through 66 we have the prophet’s (representing his people’s) prayer to Jehovah. He called upon His name that He would plead their case and judge their cause (Lam. 3:55-62). Then he asked Him to avenge them of their enemies because of their evils (Lam. 3:63-66).