A Call to Praise: Lifting Your Hands in Worship
Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. —Psalm 134:1-2
Even though this is a very short Psalm, it speaks volumes to me. I grew up in a traditional church where we sang hymns every Sunday morning and choruses in youth group. Those hymns and choruses were deeply meaningful, and their messages still ring true today. But as I look back, I realize that while we sang about God’s goodness and faithfulness, we rarely expressed our worship physically. The songs were beautiful, but they often felt like just looking back on what God had done in the past rather than an active, offering of praise for what He was doing in my own life, and my relationship with Him.
In the congregation where I spent the first 18 years of my life, I never once saw anyone lift their hands in worship. Clapping to the beat of the music was unheard of, and no one so much as tapped a toe, let alone moved to the music. Worship was quiet, reserved, and reverent, but it was missing something. I didn’t realize it then, but my heart longed for the freedom to express my love for God in a way that engaged my whole being.
I don’t remember the first time I raised my hands to praise God in a worship service, but I do know this, now, I don’t even try to stop them from going up. My heart is full of love for my Savior, and I reach for Him in praise and worship every opportunity I get. I can’t help but lift my hands, because worship is no longer just something I do, it’s who I am.
Psalm 134 is a short but powerful reminder of the importance of worship. It calls God’s people to lift their hands in praise, blessing the Lord both day and night. This Psalm speaks to me because it reminds me of that time when worship felt more like an obligation than a joy. I would sing the songs, but my heart wasn’t all in. However, everything changed when I learned to shift my focus from my problems and concerns to God’s presence.
I remember a time when I was going through a difficult season, I was exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed. One night, I decided to turn on worship music, lift my hands, and praise God, even though I didn’t feel like it. I wasn’t in a church service, and no one else was around. It was just me, alone in my living room, making the choice to worship. As I lifted my hands, something shifted inside me. Peace washed over me. It was as if my heavy burdens lifted as I magnified God instead of my problems. Worship became a weapon, breaking through discouragement and bringing my heart back into harmony with God’s goodness.
Lifting my hands wasn’t just an emotional response, it was a declaration. It was an act of surrender, of faith, of trust. It was me saying, God, I give You my worries. I trust You to carry what I cannot. You are worthy of my praise, no matter what I feel. And as I worshiped, my spirit lifted. My circumstances didn’t change immediately, but my perspective did. Worship reminded me that God was bigger than my anything I was facing in this world.
You don’t have to wait until Sunday morning to worship. Worship is something you can cultivate in your everyday life, no matter where we are or what we’re facing. Here’s how you can start:
- Start Small – Set aside a few minutes each day to worship. Play a song, sing, or simply sit in silence, acknowledging God’s presence. Worship isn’t about performance, it’s about connection.
- Engage Physically – The Psalm encourages lifting hands in worship. This physical act is a sign of surrender, trust, and invitation for God to move. Even if it feels awkward at first, step out in faith and lift your hands in praise.
- Praise in All Seasons – Whether you’re in a high or low place, choose to bless the Lord. Worship is not about our circumstances, Instead, it’s about recognizing who God is. When we worship in the storm, we shift our focus from the waves to the One who walks on water.
How to Get Started
- Find a worship song that speaks to you and listen to it with an open heart.
- Take a moment to lift your hands even if it feels unnatural at first and thank God for His faithfulness.
- Pray Psalm 134 aloud, making it personal: “Lord, I bless You tonight. I lift my hands and trust in Your goodness.”
- Make it a habit to worship before bed, on a walk, or during your quiet time. The more you practice worship, the more natural it becomes.
Today, I want to encourage you to praise the Lord with everything in you! Worship is not just about singing; it’s about surrender. It’s about lifting your hands, lifting your voice, and lifting your heart in adoration of the One who is worthy of all praise.
No matter what you are facing, choose to bless the Lord. Let your worship be a declaration of trust. Lift your hands as a sign of surrender. Sing out your love for Him and His great salvation. He is faithful. He is good. He is worthy.
And here’s the beautiful promise; when we bless the Lord, He blesses us in return. Psalm 134 ends with these words:
The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion! —Psalm 134:3
When we lift our hands to Him in worship, He lifts us up in strength, in peace, in joy. So today, will you take a moment to lift your hands and bless the Lord?
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 134
1 Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
3 The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!
The Daily Dose 