Thomas Aquinas Commentary Lamentations 2:4

"He hath bent his bow like an enemy, he hath stood with his right hand as an adversary, And hath slain all that were pleasant to the eye: In the tent of the daughter of Zion he hath poured out his wrath like fire." — Lamentations 2:4 (ASV)

Here the prophet weeps over the destruction of the things that were for the people's use.

First, he weeps over what relates to beauty.

Second, he weeps over what relates to defense, as seen in the verse, the Lord has become as an enemy (Lamentations 2:5).

Regarding the first point on the loss of beauty, he makes three observations.

1. First, he shows God's indignation. God has bent his bow—that is, His judgment, or the Chaldean army—to strike from a distance. He has also fixed his right hand to strike a blow up close. As the psalmist says, Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword: he has bent his bow and made it ready (Psalms 7:13).
2. Second, he describes the infliction of the punishment: God has killed and destroyed all that was fair—men, buildings, and so on. This was a tragic end for what was once praised: How beautiful are your tabernacles, O Jacob! (Numbers 24:5).
3. Third, he shows the magnitude of the punishment. Regarding its immeasurable abundance, His wrath has poured out; and regarding its severity, it was like fire. This also refers to the type of punishment, because the city was burned. As Scripture says, A fire is kindled in my wrath, and shall burn even to the lowest hell (Deuteronomy 32:22), and, Pour out your indignation upon them (Psalms 68:25).