Why does it say "Shavti"?
Ibn Ezra: I retracted from this idea, that it is good for man to rejoice, for I cannot rejoice, since there is extortion in the world. One's money is taken from him with force. A king, a judge who takes bribes, or a thief, oppresses him.
Ri Kara: This is like one who says 'I return to my first words.' Before he discussed a generation in which oppressors are above the oppressed - "Mekom ha'Mishpat Shamah ha'Resha" (3:16). He taught that if you see a generation in which the Rasha rules over the Tzadik, do not be astounded. Now it returns to the first matter, to say that it is consolation for a man who does not see what will be after him (refer to 4:2:1:8).
Seforno: Aside from my previous reasons for Yisrael's punishment, I found another reason.
Metzudas David: I returned and saw all protests made in the world.
How did he see all the oppressed?
Rashi: It was via Ru'ach ha'Kodesh.
Who are "ha'Ashukim"?
Rashi: They are oppressed (punished) in Gehinom.
Metzudas Tziyon: It is an expression of contention, like "v'Hayisa Ach Ashuk v'Gazul" (Devarim 28:29).
What does the verse teach about their tears?
Metzudas David: They flow and drip,
Why does it say "Tachas ha'Shamesh"?
Rashi: The acts are in place of and a substitute for Torah. Refer to 1:3:4:2.
Why do the oppressed cry?
Rav Sadya Gaon: It is because no one helps them (Ri Kara - to save them from their oppressors).
Rashi (based on Sifri Re'eh 53): Cruel angels of destruction oppress them - "Overeu b'Emek ha'Bacha Mayan Yeshisuhu" (Tehilim 84:7) are people who descend to Gehinom.
Seforno: Yisrael are exiled among the nations - "Ashukim Bnei Yisrael u'Vnei Yehudah Yachdav" (Yirmeyah 50:33).
Why does it say "v'Ein Lahem Menachem"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: No one helps them. Rashbam - no one returns the money that was taken from them.
Ibn Ezra: Normally, one who mourns over a Mes, consolers come and he is consoled.
Seforno: No one arouses them that there is hope via Teshuvah to extract their souls from affliction.
What is the meaning of "umi'Yad Oshekeihem Ko'ach"?
Rashi: Their oppressors force them and seize them with force.
Ibn Ezra: The oppressors have power; the oppressed have strength only to cry.
Seforno: They have no strength to escape their oppressors 1 via any efforts.
Metzudas David: Even though they are oppressed via force, without justice, still, they have no consoler.
"V'Ein" applies also to "umi'Yad Oshekeihem Ko'ach." (PF)
Why is "v'Ein Lahem Menachem" repeated?
Ibn Ezra: His crying and screaming time after time does not help.
Rashbam: The matter is repeated. This is all Hevel, for the one whose money was taken forcibly, he did not sin!
Seforno: No one teaches them to pray b'Shem 1 , in a way that their Tefilah will be accepted - "u'Vikastem mi'Sham Es Hashem u'Matzasa Ki Sidreshenu b'Chol Levavcha uv'Chol Nafshecha" (Devarim 4:29).
Perhaps the text should say 'mi'Sham' (PF).
