As a lament or dirge, the chapter expresses the desperate state of Jerusalem, Judah and even Israel (Lamentations 1:17) after the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the Babylonians.
The suffering came in the form of hunger, exile, and destruction. It affects everyone — Jerusalem’s depiction as widow refers to all its citizens. This includes her priests, young women and men, and children. The inhabitants of Judah were also affected.
The people and their city have been forsaken by everyone, including her former allies. It seems that even God has forsaken them.
It is acknowledged that their suffering is because of their sin.
Prayer for relief is directed towards God, which includes a plea for judgment over her enemies.1
1 Eh quoi! elle est assise solitaire, cette ville si peuplée! Elle est semblable à une veuve! Grande entre les nations, souveraine parmi les Etats, Elle est réduite à la servitude!