Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 8:18

"Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within me." — Jeremiah 8:18 (ASV)

When I would comfort myself ... —The word translated comfort is not found elsewhere, and has been very differently understood. Taking the words as spoken after a pause, they come as a cry of sorrow following the proclamation of the judgment of Jehovah, Ah, my comfort against sorrow! (mourning for it as dead and gone); my heart is sick within me. The latter phrase is the same as in Isaiah 1:5.