Thomas Aquinas Commentary Lamentations 3:16-18

"He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he hath covered me with ashes. And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength is perished, and mine expectation from Jehovah." — Lamentations 3:16-18 (ASV)

Here, he describes the afflictions: teeth signify the warriors by whom they were defended, just as a beast is by its teeth; one by one means that nothing would remain; and with ashes represents humiliation. The teeth of the whelps of lions are broken (Job 4:10). For I did eat ashes like bread (Psalms 101:10).

And my soul is removed far off. Here, he takes up the theme of reprobation. Removed far off means to be far from the mercy of God. But you have rejected and despised (Psalms 88:39). I have forgotten good things through the experience of evils. The affliction of an hour makes one forget great extravagances .

And I said. Here, he concludes with despair, as if saying: "Because I am in anguish and the Lord has rejected me and will not help me," I said this in my heart, speaking from the perspective of those who despair. My end is perished is as if to say, "I will not receive that for which I was waiting." I have lost all hope, I will not do it (Jeremiah 2:25). You have said: he labors in vain that serves God (Malachi 3:14).