'Nations' in the Bible

How she sits alone,the city once crowded with people!She who was great among the nationshas become like a widow.The princess among the provinceshas been put to forced labor.

ג GimelJudah has gone into exilefollowing affliction and harsh slavery;she lives among the nationsbut finds no place to rest.All her pursuers have overtaken herin narrow places.

י YodThe adversary has seizedall her precious belongings.She has even seen the nationsenter her sanctuary—those You had forbiddento enter Your assembly.

ט TetZion’s gates have fallen to the ground;He has destroyed and shattered the bars on her gates.Her king and her leaders live among the nations,instruction is no more,and even her prophets receiveno vision from the Lord.

ס Samek“Stay away! Unclean!” people shouted at them.“Away, away! Don’t touch us!”So they wandered aimlessly.It was said among the nations,“They can stay here no longer.”

ר ReshThe Lord’s anointed, the breath of our life,was captured in their traps.We had said about him,“We will live under his protection among the nations.”