Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:41
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands, etc.] Lifting up of the hands is a prayer gesture, and is put for prayer itself; (see <19E102>Psalm 141:2 <540208> 1 Timothy 2:8); but the heart must go along with it, or it is of no avail; the soul must be lifted up to God; there must be an ascending of that unto him, in earnest desires after him; in affection and love to him; in faith and dependence on him; and in hope and expectation of good things from him, (<192501>Psalm 25:1); this is the way in which men return to God, even by prayer and supplication. The Targum is, “let us lift up our hearts, and cast away rapine and prey out of our hands;” and Jarchi and Abendana mention a Midrash, that paraphrases it, “let us lift up our hearts in truth to God, as a man washes his hands in purity, and casts away all filthiness from them;” (see <581022>Hebrews 10:22); unto God in the heavens; who has made them, and dwells in them; and therefore prayer must be directed to him, as being there; so our Lord taught his disciples to pray, (<400609>Matthew 6:9); and which is a very great encouragement to faith in prayer; when it is considered that God is the Maker and possessor of heaven and earth; and that our help is in and expected from him who made all these; and besides the saints have a High Priest, an Advocate with the Father there, to plead their cause for them; and many great and good things are there laid up for them.
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
