Lamentations 3 41

Lamentations 3:41 kjv

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Lamentations 3:41 nkjv

Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven.

Lamentations 3:41 niv

Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say:

Lamentations 3:41 esv

Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:

Lamentations 3:41 nlt

Let us lift our hearts and hands
to God in heaven and say,

Lamentations 3 verses

Lamentations 3 41 Meaning

Lamentations 3:41 is a fervent call to collective, sincere, and humble prayer and repentance. It urges the people, in their distress, to direct their inner being (heart) along with their physical posture (hands) towards God, acknowledging His transcendent presence in the heavens, from whom help and salvation come. It emphasizes a complete and integrated act of worship and supplication.

Lamentations 3 41 Context

Lamentations 3:41 sits at the spiritual climax and turning point of the book of Lamentations. The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC by the Babylonian Empire, and the subsequent exile of the people. It expresses the profound grief, suffering, and national humiliation endured by Judah due to their sin and God's righteous judgment.

Chapter 3 is unique within Lamentations. While it opens with a description of immense personal suffering, paralleling the nation's agony (vv. 1-18), it transitions to a profound declaration of hope and trust in God's unfailing love, mercies, and faithfulness, which "are new every morning" (vv. 21-26). This shift in perspective is crucial. Following this pivot, the prophet leads the people to reflect on their condition (vv. 39-40). Verse 40 encourages introspection: "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!" Verse 41 directly flows from this self-examination, acting as the corporate call to a penitent prayer, born out of this understanding that their suffering is due to sin and God's justice. The context demands an internal, heartfelt turning to God, not just a superficial ritual.

Historically and culturally, ancient Near Eastern peoples often used physical postures, like lifting hands, as common expressions of prayer and worship. However, the prophetic tradition consistently emphasized that external actions must be accompanied by internal sincerity, particularly when addressing sin and seeking divine intervention. This verse perfectly embodies that emphasis.

Lamentations 3 41 Word analysis

• Let us lift up: נִשָּׂא (nissa') - The Hebrew word is in the Qal imperfect cohortative, signifying a collective and volitional action: "Let us, we will, we ought to lift." This form suggests a strong, immediate call to action by the community, indicating a corporate responsibility to seek God. It is an exhortation, not merely a description, implying a necessary act of elevation and offering.

• our heart: לְבָבֵנוּ (l'vaveinu) - "Our heart." In biblical thought, the "heart" (לֵב/לֵבָב, lev/levav) is not merely the seat of emotion, but the center of one's entire being: intellect, will, conscience, moral choice, and affections. Lifting the "heart" signifies an act of total inner surrender, sincere intention, and earnest focus on God. It emphasizes an authentic, spiritual devotion rather than mere ritualistic or outward show.

• with our hands: אֶל־כַּפַּיִם (el-kappayim) - Literally "to/towards the palms of our hands" or "together with our hands." This refers to the traditional gesture of prayer, supplication, or worship, where hands are lifted to heaven, palms upward. The preposition "el" (אֶל) denotes direction "to" or "towards." In this specific construction ("heart with hands"), it signifies the inseparable connection and synergy between inward sincerity and outward expression. It's not just lifting hands; the inner disposition must accompany the physical posture.

• unto God: אֶל־אֵל (el-El) - "Unto God." "El" (אֵל) is a common Semitic term for "God," often used in Scripture as a mighty or strong deity. Here, it specifically denotes the God of Israel, the one true God to whom the heartfelt and physical appeal is directed. It affirms the singular target of their worship and supplication.

• in the heavens: בַּשָּׁמָיִם (ba'shamayim) - "In the heavens." The Hebrew "shamayim" (שָׁמַיִם) always refers to the sky or celestial dwelling of God, emphasizing His transcendence, holiness, power, and sovereign rule over all creation. Directing prayer "unto God in the heavens" acknowledges His exalted position, His ability to hear from on high, and His ultimate authority to intervene and save. It's an affirmation of His divine majesty and distant yet accessible presence.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let us lift up our heart with our hands": This phrase eloquently captures the essence of true prayer and worship: it must be a holistic act. It rejects formalism by prioritizing the "heart"—sincerity, contriteness, and intentionality—but also includes the "hands" which represent the physical manifestation, active surrender, and a willing participation in the act of prayer. The combination signifies an undivided devotion, where inner belief translates into outward, reverent action.

• "unto God in the heavens": This phrase clearly identifies the object and destination of their prayer. They are not merely crying out into the void, but specifically addressing the sovereign God who reigns supreme. It reinforces His exalted nature and the vertical dimension of their plea—from the depths of their suffering on earth, they look up to the all-powerful, heavenly Lord, from whom all help comes.

Lamentations 3 41 Bonus section

Lamentations 3:41 occurs in the powerful turning point of the book (vv. 21-41), moving from profound despair to a foundational hope in God's attributes. This call to corporate action signifies that while individual suffering is acknowledged, the path to national restoration and divine favor requires a unified and collective turning to God. It highlights the principle that God's people, in times of chastisement, are to recognize His justice (vv. 39-40), internalize repentance, and then make a sincere, earnest approach to Him. The order is significant: self-examination and confession precede this powerful, unified appeal to the Heavenly Father.

Lamentations 3 41 Commentary

Lamentations 3:41 is a profound theological statement wrapped in a collective call to action during national catastrophe. It underscores the critical requirement for genuine spiritual engagement with God. After acknowledging His righteousness in their suffering and having searched their ways, the prophet calls the community to prayer, but not merely ritualistic prayer. The instruction to "lift up our heart with our hands" transcends a simple command to adopt a physical posture of prayer; it demands that the outward gesture be a sincere expression of an inward reality.

The "heart," representing the core of one's moral and intellectual being, must be fully engaged. This means heartfelt repentance, genuine sorrow for sin, and an earnest desire to return to God. This inner disposition, which includes faith and trust in God's steadfast love, is then to be accompanied by the lifting of "hands"—a physical posture traditionally associated with supplication and surrender. This unity of internal truth and external action signifies integrated piety, avoiding hypocrisy and superficiality.

Directing this collective plea "unto God in the heavens" reaffirms God's transcendence, sovereignty, and His rightful place as the hearer of prayers. Despite their earthly devastation, the people are reminded that their hope is not found in human might but in the divine power that resides above. This verse thus stands as a timeless admonition for any individual or community facing distress: true reconciliation and revival begin with sincere introspection followed by a unified, wholehearted approach to God.

Examples:

• A congregation earnestly confessing sins, not just mouthing words.
• An individual privately wrestling with temptation, yielding their will fully to God in prayer.
• A nation facing crisis turning to God with genuine repentance and not just outward displays of piety.