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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/5-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/25_Lam_05_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 5:21 - A Prayer for Restoration" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/lamentations/5-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/lamentations/5-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/lamentations/">Lamentations</a> > <a href="/lamentations/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm" title="Lamentations 5:20">◄</a> Lamentations 5:21 <a href="/lamentations/5-22.htm" title="Lamentations 5:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/lamentations/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Restore us to You, LORD, so that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Restore us to Thee, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Cause us to return to You, O Yahweh, that we may be returned; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Return us to You, O LORD, so that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />LORD, bring us back to yourself, so we may return; renew our days as in former times,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD, restore us to Yourself, so we may return; renew our days as in former times, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn thou us unto thee, O Jehovah, and we shall be turned; Renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Bring us back to you! Give us a fresh start. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, bring us back to you, and we'll come back. Give us back the life we had long ago,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Bring us back to you, LORD! Bring us back! Restore our ancient glory. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Restore us to yourself, LORD, so that we may return. Renew our days as before,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Bring us back to yourself, O LORD, so that we may return to you; renew our life as in days before, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Restore us to you, LORD, and we shall be restored; renew our days as in former times,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Turn thou us to thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Turn us to yourself, Yahweh, and we will be turned. Renew our days as of old. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn us back, O YHWH, to You, "" And we turn back, renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Turn us back, O Jehovah, unto Thee, And we turn back, renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Turn us back, O Jehovah, to thee, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Convert us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be converted: renew our days, as from the beginning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Convert us, O Lord, to you, and we shall be converted. Renew our days, as from the beginning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Bring us back to you, LORD, that we may return: renew our days as of old. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Bring us back to thee, O LORD, and we shall be restored; renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Convert us, LORD JEHOVAH, to you, and we shall be converted. Make our days new as those from before!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Turn Thou us unto Thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; Renew our days as of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Turn us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be turned; and renew our days as before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/5-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=1432" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm">A Prayer for Restoration</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Why have You forgotten us forever? Why have You forsaken us for so long? <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: hă·šî·ḇê·nū (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Restore us</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Yourself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·nå̄·šūḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">so we may return;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2318.htm" title="2318: ḥad·dêš (V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To renew, repair. A primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild.">renew</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">our days</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: kə·qe·ḏem (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">as of old,</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>unless You have utterly rejected us and remain angry with us beyond measure.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18-19</a></span><br />I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1-2</a></span><br />Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/80-3.htm">Psalm 80:3</a></span><br />Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7</a></span><br />Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-2.htm">Deuteronomy 30:2-3</a></span><br />and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today, / then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-9.htm">2 Chronicles 30:9</a></span><br />For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm">Jeremiah 3:22</a></span><br />“Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-20.htm">2 Corinthians 5:20</a></span><br />Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">1 Peter 2:25</a></span><br />For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Turn you us to you, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.</p><p class="hdg">turn</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-37.htm">1 Kings 18:37</a></b></br> Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou <i>art</i> the LORD God, and <i>that</i> thou hast turned their heart back again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/80-3.htm">Psalm 80:3,7,19</a></b></br> Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/85-4.htm">Psalm 85:4</a></b></br> Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.</p><p class="hdg">renew</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Jeremiah 31:4,23-25</a></b></br> Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/33-10.htm">Jeremiah 33:10,13</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say <i>shall be</i> desolate without man and without beast, <i>even</i> in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/8-3.htm">Zechariah 8:3-6</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/3-23.htm">New</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-4.htm">Renew</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Restored</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/11-19.htm">New</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-2.htm">Renew</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-53.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Restored</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-24.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/5-1.htm">A complaint of Zion in prayer unto God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/lamentations/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Restore us to Yourself, O LORD</b><br>This plea reflects the deep desire for reconciliation with God after a period of judgment and exile. The Israelites understood that their separation from God was due to their own sin and disobedience. The call for restoration is a common theme throughout the Old Testament, seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/80-3.htm">Psalm 80:3</a>, "Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the need for divine intervention to restore that broken relationship.<p><b>so we may return</b><br>The phrase indicates repentance and a turning back to God. It suggests that true restoration involves not only God's action but also a response from the people. This is reminiscent of the call to repentance found in <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>, where God invites His people to return to Him with all their heart. The concept of returning is central to the prophetic message, emphasizing that spiritual renewal requires a change of heart and direction.<p><b>renew our days as of old</b><br>This request looks back to a time when Israel experienced God's favor and blessing, possibly referring to the periods of David and Solomon's reigns when the kingdom was united and prosperous. It echoes the longing for a return to the former glory and peace that characterized Israel's past. The idea of renewal is also prophetic, pointing forward to the ultimate restoration through the Messiah, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/65-17.htm">Isaiah 65:17</a>, where God promises to create new heavens and a new earth. This renewal is typified in Jesus Christ, who offers new life and restoration to all who believe in Him, fulfilling the hope of a restored relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the lament and plea for restoration found in Lamentations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience and are now in exile, seeking restoration and renewal.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, whom the people are pleading with for restoration and renewal.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of Lamentations, where the Israelites are in captivity due to their rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_restoration.htm">The Need for Restoration</a></b><br>Recognize that spiritual restoration is essential when we have strayed from God. Just as the Israelites sought restoration, we too must seek to be restored to a right relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Trust in God's faithfulness to restore and renew us. Despite the Israelites' unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His covenant promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>Understand that true restoration begins with repentance. We must turn away from sin and return to God, seeking His forgiveness and renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_renewal.htm">Hope in Renewal</a></b><br>Embrace the hope that God can renew our days as of old. No matter how far we have fallen, God can restore us to a place of spiritual vitality and joy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_renewal.htm">Prayer for Renewal</a></b><br>Make it a practice to pray for personal and communal renewal. Just as the Israelites cried out for restoration, we should regularly seek God's renewing work in our lives and communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_handle_life's_frustrations.htm">How can I manage life's frustrations effectively?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_themes_are_in_lamentations.htm">What themes are explored in the Book of Lamentations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_lam_5_21-22_align_with_hope.htm">Lamentations 5:21-22 pleads for divine restoration but ends in despair--how does this align with other biblical texts that promise hope and deliverance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_compassion_and_forgiveness.htm">What does the Bible say about chronic pain?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Turn thou us . . . O Lord . . .</span>--The answer to the problem was found in man's submission and in prayer. He could not turn himself, and so re-establish the old filial relation. He could ask God to turn him, and he felt that the prayer would not be asked in vain.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Turn thou us,</span> etc. Not "bring us back to thee," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> to the sacred land (as Thenius), for it is not a speech of the exiles, but of the Jews left behind, at least for the present, in Judea. "Turn thou us" means "Bring us into a state of reconciliation with thee" The next petition, <span class="cmt_word">Renew our days as of old,</span> means, "Restore the old happy mode of life, each man with his own vine and his own fig tree, undisturbed by the fear of invasion, and rejoicing in the sense of the favour of Jehovah." The first petition has the priority because only on repentance and recovered purity of heart and life can Jerusalem rise from her ashes. Isaiah had said this long ago (<a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Isaiah 1:26, 27</a>), and the elegiac poet repeats it (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/5-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Restore</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·šî·ḇê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us to Yourself,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֤ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so we may return;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·šū·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">renew</span><br /><span class="heb">חַדֵּ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥad·dêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2318.htm">Strong's 2318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be new, to rebuild</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as of old,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּקֶֽדֶם׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·qe·ḏem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> </span><span class="str2">The front, of place, time</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/5-21.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 5:21 Turn you us to you Yahweh (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>