This verse is exceptional in that the Hebrew text has eight half-lines instead of the six half-lines in each of the other verses in this chapter. Accordingly some scholars propose deleting one pair; however, there is little agreement on which pair should be dropped. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation retain all the lines. Good News Translation‘s first line corresponds to the whole of the first half of the verse in Hebrew. Most modern translations retain all eight half-lines, and users of this Handbook are encouraged to do the same.
Jerusalem remembers …: Jerusalem is pictured as a person recalling the past. In languages in which Jerusalem remembers is not natural, it will be necessary to say, for example, “The people of Jerusalem remember” or “Those who lived in Jerusalem remember.” In some languages it will be necessary to place the subordinate clause first; for example, “During the time of her suffering and wandering…” or “While the people of Jerusalem suffered and wandered….”
In the days … bitterness refers to the time when the thoughts of the people turn to the days of old or the former great times. Revised Standard Version has changed the Hebrew word for “wandering” to bitterness. See Revised Standard Version footnote. The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project (Hebrew Old Testament Text Project) gives “wandering” an “A” rating, meaning that this word is without doubt the original sense, and so recommends “and of her wandering.”
All the precious things that were hers from days of old are the things the people of Jerusalem remember. These things are not specified, but she has had them for a very long time. Bible en français courant translates “Jerusalem remembers all that was precious from a long time ago.” Good News Translation shortens the expression and calls these “her ancient splendor,” in order to relate this line to the first half-line in verse 6.
When her people fell into the hand of the foe states the event that caused these precious things to become memories. Fell into the hand of the foe is a figure of speech meaning to be conquered, defeated by the enemy. This expression may sometimes be translated “When the enemies conquered them,” “When they were defeated by their enemies,” or “When the enemies defeated Jerusalem’s people.”
None to help her: that is, there was no nation to help Jerusalem; this may also be understood in a general sense that not even God helped her, and so we may translate “there was no one to help fight against Jerusalem’s enemies.”
The foe gloated over her: gloated translates the verb “see,” which is also used in Psalm 22.17, “they stare and gloat over me.” In the context this is a special way of seeing or staring at the defeated enemy. Gloat means to stare with joy at someone who is suffering. The one who stares in this way experiences evil satisfaction. In some languages this may be translated “the enemy smiled when they saw how the people of Jerusalem suffered” or “Jerusalem’s enemies laughed when they saw how she suffered.”
Mocking at her downfall: mocking translates the Hebrew for “they laughed.” This laughter, like the gloating in the previous half-line, is a wicked laughter that rejoices at the sight of someone else’s misfortune. Good News Translation “Her conquerors laughed at her downfall” is a good translation model. Downfall means “defeat,” “destruction,” “loss.” Another model is “those who defeated Jerusalem laughed at her.”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on Lamentations. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .