Restore Us, Unless...

The fifth and final poem is written as a communal prayer of lament, perhaps representing the various poetic voices across the book as well as the many grieving people whose sufferings have been named—all lamenting together. The poem provides a clear model to follow for how to practice biblical lament before God: turning to God is honest acknowledgment and complaint, declaring your trust in God's character and power, and boldly asking God to act. The enigmatic ending reminds us that neat and tidy endings are usually not on the table, and yet there remains hope because of what Jesus Christ has done, is doing, and will do.