The Hebrew verbs in verses 28-30 are translated by Revised Standard Version as third person commands in which let is followed by him plus the verb. Good News Translation has shifted to “we should” in each case. The verbs in Hebrew are in the third person, and so the identity of the person commanded must be taken as “anyone, everyone”; but since “everyone” includes both the poet and his readers or hearers, the inclusive first person plural used by Good News Translation must be seen as very appropriate.

Sit alone in silence may need to be translated “sit by himself and keep silent.”

When he has laid it on him: he presumably refers to the LORD, last mentioned in verse 26. It refers to the yoke in verse 27, and him is the person, the “man” of verse 27, that is, anyone who has been told to sit in silence. However, another interpretation of the verb translated he has laid may be “it is heavy” (AB, New English Bible). In this case the sense is “Let him sit in silence when it (the yoke) is heavy on him.” It seems a reflexive meaning is less likely here, and so the Handbook supports Revised Standard Version. The meaning in Revised Standard Version is not clear, but it can be made clearer by saying, for example, “When the LORD makes someone suffer, that person should sit alone and be silent.” Bible en français courant gives another model: “Let him isolate himself in silence when the LORD tests him.”

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 .