Lamentations 3:41
What does Lamentations 3:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:41 means
He urges them to lift up both heart and hands to God in heaven. Gestures without sincerity are worthless; therefore, the heart must be raised with the hands. This is a plea for wholehearted prayer—a turning not merely of words but of will and affections to Jehovah’s throne. The focus on God “in the heavens” underlines His rule and transcendence. From that high place, He can both judge and show mercy. This verse teaches that true return involves worship and dependence, laying the community open before the One who alone can pardon and restore.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Lifting up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862We lift up our heart on the hands unto God in the heavens.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nun. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to the Lord in the heavens.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands untoGod in the heavens.
Context
The call to repent now becomes prayer. Next, verses 42–45 will confess sin and describe God’s anger and the resulting disgrace among nations. The movement is deliberate: examination (v. 40), prayerful turning (v. 41), confession (vv. 42–45). This forms the pattern for a people seeking renewal after judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 63:4
So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
- Psalms 86:4
Rejoice the soul of thy servant; For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 143:6
I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soulthirstethafter thee, as a weary land. [Selah
- Psalms 25:1
Unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8
even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.
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