17 And thou hast said unto them this word: Tears come down mine eyes night and day, And they do not cease, For, 'with' a great breach, Broken hath been the virgin daughter of my people, A very grievous stroke. 18 If I have gone forth to the field, Then, lo, the pierced of the sword! And if I have entered the city, Then, lo, the diseased of famine! For both prophet and priest have gone up and down Unto a land that they knew not. 19 Hast Thou utterly rejected Judah? Zion hath Thy soul loathed? Wherefore hast Thou smitten us, And there is no healing to us? Looking for peace, and there is no good, And for a time of healing, and lo, terror. 20 We have known, O Jehovah, our wickedness, The iniquity of our fathers, For we have sinned against Thee. 21 Do not despise, for Thy name's sake, Dishonour not the throne of Thine honour, Remember, break not Thy covenant with us. 22 Are there among the vanities of the nations any causing rain? And do the heavens give showers? Art not Thou He, O Jehovah our God? And we wait for thee, for Thou—Thou hast done all these!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:17-22
Commentary on Jeremiah 14:17-22
(Read Jeremiah 14:17-22)
Jeremiah acknowledged his own sins, and those of the people, but pleaded with the Lord to remember his covenant. In their distress none of the idols of the Gentiles could help them, nor could the heavens give rain of themselves. The Lord will always have a people to plead with him at his mercy-seat. He will heal every truly repenting sinner. Should he not see fit to hear our prayers on behalf of our guilty land, he will certainly bless with salvation all who confess their sins and seek his mercy.