Although the consequences of Jerusalem’s sin are evident in the preceding verses, they are stated here as two: namely, her destruction (her fall is terrible
) and her loneliness (she has no comforter
). The meaning of these phrases is as follows:
Her destruction is described as
terrible.
This word can also be translated with one of the following terms: amazing, wondrous, appalling, or spectacular. It is usually employed to indicate God’s intervention in salvation or judgment (see also Exodus 15:11;Psalm 77:11,Psalm 77:14; Psalm 89:5). They did not expect what God would do and the way in which he would intervene: not for salvation, but for destruction.1 The destruction was terrible and amazing, because it was not due to the military ingenuity of Babylon, but the divine intervention of God.2There was no one to comfort her—neither her allies, nor her God (see notes on Lamentations 1:1–2).
9 Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible; she has no comforter. “O LORD, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!”