Lamentations 3:54

54 water closed over my head; I said, 'I am lost.'

Lamentations 3:54 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 3:54

Waters flowed over mine head
As in a pit or dungeon, where there is not only mire and clay, but much water, into which persons being put, sink, and are covered therewith; see ( Psalms 69:1 Psalms 69:2 ) ; this is to be understood metaphorically of the waters of afflictions, which overflowed and overwhelmed the people of the Jews. Jarchi interprets it of the nations of the world, as much people are often compared to waters; and here the Chaldeans may be particularly intended, whose army overflowed the land of Judea; and, like a mighty torrent, carried away the people, and wealth of it, and brought them into troubles, which were like deep waters: [then] I said, I am cut off;
while the waters are only up to a man's loins, he does not apprehend himself in danger; but there is hope of his wading through, and getting out; but when they rise above his head, his hopes are gone; he reckons it all over with him, and that he is just perishing, and his life in the utmost danger; there being scarce any probability or possibility of saving him; so it was with these people.

Lamentations 3:54 In-Context

52 "I have been hunted like a bird by those who were my enemies without cause;

53 they flung me alive into the pit and cast stones on me;

54 water closed over my head; I said, 'I am lost.'

55 "I called on thy name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit;

56 thou didst hear my plea, 'Do not close thine ear to my cry for help!'