Albert Barnes Commentary Lamentations 1:11

"All her people sigh, they seek bread; They have given their pleasant things for food to refresh the soul: See, O Jehovah, and behold; for I am become abject." — Lamentations 1:11 (ASV)

Sigh ... seek — Are sighing ... are seeking. The words are present participles, describing the condition of the people. After a siege lasting a year and a half, the whole country, far and near, would be exhausted.

To relieve the soul — See the margin, i.e., to bring back life to them. They bring out their jewels and precious articles to obtain with them at least a meal.