I often raise my hands during worship. Most of the time it’s just me and God. The musicians and crowd seem to fade away and disappear. And if I think of them at all, I want to let people know I’m with Jesus. What about you? Do you raise your hands during worship? Please write me why/not or join the discussion below.
Some people raise hands. Some don’t. Some people sing. Some too loudly. Some don’t. Some people move and dance. Some too much. Some don’t. What does the Bible say? Is there a right way and a wrong way? Watch Tim Hawkins on Hand Raising
AlI joking aside, this subject can be very divisive. I have heard worship leaders publicly rebuke people for not raising their hands. I have heard pastors publicly rebuke people for raising their hands. And I have heard pastors publicly disdain raising hands unless you are certain they are holy hands. What does the Bible say?
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)
lifting up holy hands—The early Christians turned up their palms towards heaven, as those craving help do. So also Solomon (1Ki 8:22; Ps 141:2). The Jews washed their hands before prayer (Ps 26:6). Paul figuratively (compare Job 17:9; Jas 4:8) uses language alluding to this custom here: so Isa 1:15, 16. The Greek for “holy” means hands which have committed no impiety, and observed every sacred duty. This (or at least the contrite desire to be so) is a needful qualification for effectual prayer (Ps 24:3, 4). –Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Without wrath; and let them take heed of carrying malice, or inveterate anger, in their hearts when they go to God in prayer, for they must pray, Father: forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and, Matthew 6:15: If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. And doubting; and let them also take heed of doubting in prayer of the goodness, truth, or power of God to fulfil his wishes; but, Jam 1:6,7, let them ask in faith, nothing wavering. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. –Matthew Poole’s Commentary
And doubting – This word, as used here, does not mean, as our translation would seem to imply, that we are to come before God without any doubts of our own piety, or in the exercise of perfect faith. The word used (διαλογισμός dialogismos) means, properly, computation, adjustment of accounts; then reflection, thought; then reasoning, opinion; then debate, contention, strife; Luke 9:46; Mark 9:33-34; Philippians 2:14. This is the sense evidently in this place. They were not to approach God in prayer in the midst of clamorous disputings and angry contentions. They were not to come when the mind was heated with debate, and irritated by strife for victory. Prayer was to be offered in a calm, serious, sober state of mind, and they who engaged in polemical strife, or in warm contention of any kind, are little fitted to unite in the solemn act of addressing God. How often are theologians, when assembled together, so heated by debate, and so anxious for party victory, that they are in no suitable state of mind to pray! How often do even good people, holding different views on the disputed points of religious doctrine, suffer their minds to become so excited, and their temper so ruffled, that they are conscious they are in an unfit state of mind to approach the throne of grace together! That theological debate has gone too far; that strife for victory has become too warm, when the disputants are in such a state of mind that they cannot unite in prayer; when they could not cease their contentions, and with a calm and proper spirit, bow together before the throne of grace. –Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Warnings against doing it for show
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4 NLT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6 NLT)
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18 NLT)
- What does the LORD require of you? (Micah 6:6-8) — Throughout history the question what doth the LORD require of thee has the same answer: to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God
- How to be justified by God in your prayers — Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was justified and the other was rejected. What was the difference? Which one are you?
- The fear of religion is a dangerous trap — Have you fallen into the trap? Afraid to give God the glory for what he has done in your life because of the fear of man and his religious inventions?
- Matthew 7:3 the mote in your friend’s eye — Before Christians try to judge the tiny mote of sin and failure in their friend’s eye, they must judge their own sins first
Instructions to raise your hands
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63:3-4)
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. (Psalm 119:47-48)
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. (Psalm 134:1-3)
Instructions to shout and sing
O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 47:1)
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together. (Psalm 98:4-8)
One generation shall praise Thy works to another and declare Thy mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)
Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 12:6)
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)
To grant to those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of the spirit of fainting, So they shall be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)
Instructions for exuberant praise
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with
stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 150)
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. (1 Chronicles 13:5-8)
Instructions to rejoice
How could anyone read these Psalms and stay unmoved and unmovable while worshipping the God of heaven and earth…
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 33:11)
As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, Saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40)
For deeper study
- Holy Roar: 7 words that will change the way your worship.
- Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead — What does it mean to praise God? In the ancient world something extraordinary happened when God s people gathered to worship him. It was more than just singing; it was a declaration, a proclamation, a time to fully embody praise to God for who he is and what he has done. In fact, in the Psalms, there are seven Hebrew words that are translated into the English word praise each of which represents a different aspect of what it means to truly praise God. In Holy Roar, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead share a fresh perspective from the worship practices of the ancient world. Grow in your understanding of praise as Darren offers unique insights. Be inspired as Chris shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind some of your favorite worship songs, including How Great Is Our God, We Fall Down, and Good Good Father. Whether for your own personal use or for use in your church small group, Holy Roar provides insight and encouragement to deepen your practice of praise. Follow along as Chris and Darren lead you to the throne room of God. Join their invitation. Become a part of the Holy Roar.
- [Original Series] Chris Tomlin & Darren Whitehead: Unlock the Mystery in Praising God