Lamentations 4:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We apprehended our vulnerable ones to prevent them from traversing our hills. The Syriac interpreter uses the term "catch," which aligns with common speech; for the adversaries also seized both the young and the old. However, we bore this with patience, the prophet explains, because our moment was imminent and our days had come to completion. The prophet's words reveal that the Almighty is both patient and just, maintaining balance and fairness. When, moved by His forbearance, He observes those who scorn His ways, He will administer justice to cease wrongdoing. The prophet further declares that the speed of the foes outstripped even that of the eagles. He also foretells the suffering of the Savior: