In verse 41 the theme of confession is carried forward. Let us lift up our hearts and hands: translators do not agree on the meaning of the Hebrew preposition found before the word hands. It usually means “to,” but it can also mean “along with, together with, in addition to.” Accordingly we may translate as in AB: “Let us lift our heart(s) along with our hands.” However, Gordis finds a parallel in Joel 2.13, “rend your hearts and not your garments,” which suggests we translate “Let us lift up our hearts, and not our hands….” The point is that confession of sin requires sincerity, here symbolized by the inclusion of the heart.

In some languages it is unnatural to say “lift our hearts,” as this would be taken only in a literal sense. Therefore it may be necessary to say, for example, as does Bible en français courant, “Let us pray with all our heart, lifting our hands.” Even this model may require adjustment; for example, “… praying with all sincerity” or “… praying with a warm heart.” Good News Translation avoids referring to the lifting of either hearts or hands, with “Let us open our hearts to God….”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on Lamentations. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .