The psalms of communal lament are a group of Psalm Forms from the Hebrew Bible, classified by their focus on laments expressing deep sorrow for the travails of a nation and as a group asking for God's blessing or intervention. Psalms of communal laments were more commonly found in printed Psalters following major natural disasters, plague, or oppression by surrounding nations
A Communal Lament essentially consists of six possible parts:[1]
- The Address - usually directly to God, "Hear me O God"
- The Lament Proper - a description of the occurrences for which the people are requesting assistance or rescue
- National Confession of Trust - a statement showing the nation's belief that God will hear their prayers
- The Petition Proper and Motivation - a usually very specific statement of what the people want God to do
- Exclamation of Certainty- That the psalmists prayer has been or will be heard by God
- Vow of Praise - portion of the lament where the people promise to offer thanksgiving once seeing God's intervention