Jerome

The Savior also wept over the city of Jerusalem because its inhabitants had not repented; and Peter washed out his triple denial with bitter tears, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet: "rivers of waters run down my eyes." Jeremiah too laments over his impenitent people, saying, "O that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for … my people!" And farther on he gives a reason for his lamentation: "do not weep for the dead," he writes, "neither bemoan him, but weep bitterly for him that …

Letter 122.1-2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Here one turns toward seeking divine justice through prayer. First, one is invited to pray, second to consider the prayer itself. As Verse 20 says: "Look, O Lord, and see! With whom hast thou dealt thus?" Regarding an invitation to pray, two notions are proposed. First, one is taught to prepare a place for prayer through tears; second, one will be taught a manner of praying. As Verse 19 states: "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches." Around the place prepared for prayer three ideas are set forth. …

Commentary on Lamentations ↗