This is a lament; they will chant it. The daughters of the nations will chant it. They will chant it over Egypt and over all her hordes, declares the sovereign Lord.”

Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.

The king chanted the following lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died like a fool?

As they wail they will lament over you, chanting: “Who was like Tyre, like a tower in the midst of the sea?”

The Lord who rules over all told me to say to this people, “Take note of what I say. Call for the women who mourn for the dead! Summon those who are the most skilled at it!”

Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah which all the male and female singers use to mourn Josiah to this very day. It has become customary in Israel to sing these; they are recorded in the Book of Laments.