How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
The Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions. (NRSV 1:5)
The Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions. (KJV 1:5)
Okay, so why has God allowed all this terrible stuff to happen? Because the people of Jerusalem are sinners. But what did they do? Did they cheat on God with other gods?
Quote #2
Jerusalem sinned grievously, so she has become a mockery; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans, and turns her face away. Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future. (NRSV 1:8-9)
Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward. Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O Lord, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself. (KJV 1:8-9)
The Poet never specifies exactly what the peoples' crimes were, but here he hints that it must have been something pretty terrible and the people realize it. Now, everyone has seen Jerusalem naked. So embarrassing.
Quote #3
My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; they weigh on my neck, sapping my strength. (NRSV 1:14)
The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall. (KJV 1:14)
Sin is a powerful thing. The Poet describes it as a weight around their necks. It's like an anchor dragging them to the bottom of the ocean. Thinking about your transgressions has a huge emotional effect. That's part of the point of reading Lamentations.