Thomas Aquinas Commentary Lamentations 3:52-54

"They have chased me sore like a bird, they that are mine enemies without cause. They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off." — Lamentations 3:52-54 (ASV)

This section describes the affliction into which they have fallen.

1. First is the capture itself. They have chased as if using ambushes, strategies, and force. The enemies are the Chaldeans. This was without cause, for I had not offended them in any way, nor had they ever been of service to me. The Assyrian has oppressed them without any cause at all (Isaiah 52:4). After this I will send them many hunters, and they shall hunt them (Jeremiah 16:16).
2. Second is the imprisonment of the captives. My life has fallen into the pit refers to the pit of prison and captivity. They have laid me in the lower pit: in dark places, and in the shadow of death (Psalms 87:7).
3. Third is the affliction of the prisoners. The waters that have flowed over means that the waters of tribulation have multiplied. The words I said were spoken in despair and impatience. All your billows, and your waves have passed over me (Jonah 2:4).