Lamentations

It was brought up in class on wednesday that perhaps Lamentations was written from the viewpoint of God himself. This is a fasinating theory, and it calls for a much different reading of the text.
When reading the text as written from the perspective of a man, most likely Jeremiah, writing his thoughts, prayers, and opinions of an event he himself witnessed, the meaning is humanized. With this author in mind, the reader understands the writings to be grounded and failable- or at least limited in perspective and range of understanding of the events at hand. This view also makes the text more personal and exemplary of the author's relationship with God. For example, even in witnessing to the horrible events that have occured, the author still returns to praising and trusting God: "I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit: you heard my plea" (Lam 3:55). This is a relationship of trust, dependence, and hope between a man and God.
When reading the text as the voice of God, the entire reading changes. Now the meaning is not of a human in distress over his city, but God heartbroken that such disasterous events had to transpire. Now it is God speaking of betrayal, groaning, transgressions, and rejection. It is also God speaking of turning to him to make everything right again. In this perspective, God is telling his children to have hope in him, wait for him, and seek him. He is telling his readers that he will not reject forever, and that HE will hear the pleas from the depths of the pit. It shows that God feels all the pain of all the people, and that he hurts when we hurt. Through this pain, God says in Lamentations that he will "have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone" (Lam 3:32). From this viewpoint, the message becomes even more affirming.
While both perspectives deliver the same message of hope through the heartache, the emphasis and readings of the text alter how the reader approaches the verses.