Jerusalem’s agonies were intensified by the realisation that God’s punishing hand was in them. It is described as the day of his fierce anger.
The word fierce
refers to something hot or burning, alluding to the fire that destroyed a part of Jerusalem. The day of the Lord (see also Isaiah 13:9; Jeremiah 4:8; Jeremiah 30:24) refers to the time when God no longer restrains his wrath but acts in judgment against the rebellion of men (see Lamentations 1:21; Lamentations 2:1, Lamentations 2:16, Lamentations 2:21, Lamentations 2:22). The expression implies recognition that judgment has come from God in its fullness and thoroughness.1
12 Je m'adresse à vous, à vous tous qui passez ici! Regardez et voyez s'il est une douleur pareille à ma douleur, A celle dont j'ai été frappée! L'Eternel m'a affligée au jour de son ardente colère.