Charles Ellicott Commentary Lamentations 4:17

"Our eyes do yet fail [in looking] for our vain help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save." — Lamentations 4:17 (ASV)

As for us ... —Better, Still do our eyes waste away, looking for our vain help.

In our watching. —Better, upon our watch-tower. (Compare to Habakkuk 2:1.) The people of Judah are represented as looking out for the approach of an ally, probably Egypt (Jeremiah 37:7), and looking in vain.