איכה, פרק ג׳, פסוק מ״ו

The cry of deep despair continues, flowing directly from previous expressions of intense humiliation. The nation laments how they have been reduced to nothing, feeling treated as refuse and completely despised by the surrounding nations [פלגי מים].

Adding to this suffering, every enemy now freely opens their mouth to attack and mock the fallen people. This harsh reality is made even worse by the absolute helplessness of the Israelites. They stand before their attackers entirely powerless, stripped of any ability to respond or defend themselves [ביאור שטיינזלץ].