I must say, I've never read Lamentations before - and I can understand why. It's a bit of a bizzare book. I haven't looked much into the context yet, but what has struck me is just the sheer volume of destruction that has come upon Israel. Their land has been taken from them, they have been put into slavery - and they know that God has done it.

Look at these verses:

"From on high he sent fire, sent it down into my bones.
    He spread a net for my feet and turned me back.
    He made me desolate, faint all the day long.
"My sins have been bound into a yoke;
    by his hands they were woven together.
    They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength.
    He has handed me over to those I cannot withstand."
Lamentations 1:13-14 (NIV)

It's pretty severe. I was sort of expecting some sort of David like moan that went "How Long, O lord until you redeem your people"... but got none of that. Instead, in verse 18 he says:

"The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command.
    Listen, all you peoples; look upon my suffering.
    My young men and maidens have gone into exile."

and again in verse 22

"Let all their wickedness come before you;
    deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins.
    My groans are many and my heart is faint."

I get the feeling that the guy who is writing this is aware fully of what is going on, and is saying, "God, you have done the right thing punishing me. I disobeyed you, and you have punished me. Please do the same for m enemies." I mean... that's pretty huge. Sure... he's saying judge my enemies, and there isn't anything to special about that - but think about the converse... he's putting himself in the same boat as his enemies. To take yourself that low because you're aware of God's judgement is pretty huge.

... anyway... more tomorrow on Lamentations 2!