Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 5:16

16 Therefore the LORD the God of hosts, the Lord saith thus , wailing shall be in all streets , and they shall say in all the high-ways , Alas, Alas: and they shall call the husbandman to mourning , and such as are skilful of lamentation , to wailing.

The Prophet foreseeing their obstinacy in their sins, and their refusing to obey his Counsel from the Lord, doth proceed to denounce Judgment against them.

That there might be no doubt made of the truth of the Prophets words, he doth in most solemn manner attest it to be from the Lord, and that he might awake them to Repentance and Humiliation, he proclaims the majesty and power of God who calls them to it.

Lamentations uttered in words and gestures, Eccl. 12.5. Ier. 4.8. Zech. 12.10. shall every where be seen and heard in the broad streets of your Cities, as when the Assyrians prevail'd and cut off the Forces of Israel, besieged and took their strong holds.

Of great Towns or Cities.

Abroad in the Country, and on the road all shall cry out as undone, dispirited and hopeless men, Alas! alas!

This sort of men are little used to such Ceremonies of mourning, but now such shall their state be, that they shall be called upon; Leave your toil, betake your selves to publick mourning.

And to make all sound doleful, call in those whose art lyeth in acting the part of mourners, and can move hardest hearts to lament and bewail. See these Ier. 9.17, 18. and Mat. 9.23.