Albert Barnes Commentary Lamentations 4:2

"The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!" — Lamentations 4:2 (ASV)

The precious sons of Zion - The whole nation was consecrated to God, and formed a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6): in this respect, a type of the Christian Church (1 Peter 2:5).

Comparable to fine gold - literally, “weighed with” solid gold, and so equal to their weight in it. With this is contrasted the hollow pitcher easily broken, and made of materials of no intrinsic value.