I think the inspiration is a combination of the book Lamentations (which I am currently studying) and Dantes Divine Comedy, Hell..thanks Mark…but no sorrow is complete unless there is hope. When Jeremiah looked at the aftermath of Jerusalem’s judgment, he wrote through aspects of sorrow, or lament in an epic manner. Lamentations makes statements that need revisiting in the Christian church. The great men of scripture praised when suffering.
If you want to listen to lamentation here you go and can also be found in the music section .Lyrics are here.