For these things I weep; my eye, my eye runs down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
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Glossa Ordinaria
AD 1480
THEREFORE DO I WEEP: the seventh topic of indignation; it displays a cruel and tyrannical deed and the violence of the enemies.
Historical interpretation He HAS TRODDEN THE WINE-PRESS: THE WINE-PRESS signifies vengeance and punishment for sin, whence Isaiah: Why then is thy apparel red and thy garments like theirs that tread in the wine-press; he introduces the Lord having answered the inquiring angels: I have trodden the wine-press alone, that, namely, with which punishments for the wicked and rewards for the just are trodden. This the Lord has trodden alone, as he had no helper, for neither angel nor archangel had assumed a human body, so that he, suffering for our sake, would crush and destroy the strength of our adversary. This WINE-PRESS THE LORD HAS TRODDEN in his passion FOR THE VIRGIN DAUGHTER OF JUDAH, that he would produce rewards for the believers and for the faithless and torturers punishments of perpetual captivity and everlasting damnation. The prophet, however, seeing...
Ain- ‘fountain-head’ or ‘eye’
I weep- the voice of the Synagogue or of the prophet or the Church or the soul
my eyes- alludes to the letter, which is interpreted ‘eye’
with water- fountain-head of tears
the comforter- the Paraclete
me converting- to good
my soul- lost and drifting
are desolate- to the letter, or works or those that the Church nourishes daily
the enemy- the Chaldean or Roman or the devil
Here in Verse 16 a taking away of consolation is lamented. So first is the bewailing within grief. As stated: "For these things I weep, my eyes flow with tears." And Jeremiah 9:1: "O that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears."
Second is the matter of grief itself. As said: "for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage That is, as one, like Egypt, to revive my soul; from the grief itself. Since, I (Jerusalem) suffer away from my pristine prosperity. As Psalm 88(87):8 discloses: "Thou hast caused my companions to shun me."
Third, is the effect upon the city (Jerusalem). As said: "my children are desolate for the enemy has prevailed". For, due to a deficiency of aid, the power of the enemy prevails, and then the captivity of the people. As Jeremiah: 50:6 declares: "My people have beeh last sheep; their shepherdshave led them astray".
