It is a call to repentance and prayer. The writer identifies himself with his people in their guilt and appeals to them to examine their actions and come to a heartfelt confession of guilt before God who is enthroned in heaven. The acknowledgement of their guilt should bring them to the confession that it is because of their sin and rebellion against God that they suffer like this (see also Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 36:3; Hosea 6:1). Their repentance must be true and not superficial, as was the case over the years that they ignored the prophets' persistent call to repentance. This is why God finally did not forgive them, nor did he give them a way out (see also Jeremiah 4:4; Joel 2:13).1
40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!