What is the significance of the writer’s complaint that “he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate”?
The meaning of the first part of Lamentations 3:11 is not clear from the original language or context. A possible explanation is that, aware of the presence of a wild animal on the road he is travelling on, the victim has tried and is still trying to escape. This is of no avail because he was caught and torn to pieces by the animal. The outcome conveyed by this metaphor is that the writer is desolate and emotionally ruined.1 Descriptions of this condition already appeared in Lamentations 1:4, Lamentations 1:13, and Lamentations 1:16, specifically highlighting Jerusalem’s desolate state. Again, it is clear that the writer identifies with Jerusalem and the people in their experience.2
11 Il a détourné mes voies, il m'a déchiré, Il m'a jeté dans la désolation.