In Lamentations 3:17–18 the writer’s reaction to his suffering is reflected by a description of his mood or the emotional state of his inner being. He is desperate and has lost all courage and confidence. He describes his soul as bereft of peace
without any trace of happiness
left in him. Only in his memory would he recall goodness and happiness that he once experienced. It is no more—only in his memories—and this contributes to his inner turmoil. He has no strength or vitality left to cope, or to resist the pressure of suffering. His hope has disappeared, even in God. As God’s personal name is mentioned here for the first time, it is expressing that his hope from the Lord has also perished.1
17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;