Thomas Aquinas

After an enumeration of many penalties (in Chapter 2) the despair of the people is excluded. Such exclusion is divided twofold. First, despair is considered by appeals, second, is the argument for a fidelity that must be acceptable. Third, an assumed faithfulness turns the people to prayer for (divine) mercy. On despair on appeals three ideas are conveyed. First is set forth affliction itself, second a reprobation is assumed. Third, despair is concluded. To the first idea (affliction itself) two further notions are added. …

Commentary on Lamentations ↗