Open English Translation LAM Introduction

Introduction

The document named Sorrows (or in older English Lamentations) is this collection of poems or sad songs describing the people’s sorrow at the terrible destruction that had happened to Yerushalem, and the capture of its inhabitants 586 years before Yeshua (B.C.). However, despite the sadness displayed by these compositions, it’s also possible to see hope shown through trusting Yahweh God and the hope of a better future. These poems were used by Yehudim[fn] there in worship at time of fasting and sorrow each year, until today, in order to mourn Yerushalem’s destruction.

Several of these sorrowful chapters are acrostic poems, i.e., the first verse starts with the first Hebrew letter (alef) and the second with the second Hebrew letter (beyt), etc. We have chosen to display those Hebrew letters to help the English reader understand that there is that acrostic background to the poem.

This is still an early look into the unpolished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.