Raising hands in worship is a biblical expression of praise and surrender. Today, we’ll learn what Scripture says about this outward sign of a heart lifted to God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Being Friends With Atheist
What Does The Bible Say About Raising Hands
1 Timothy 2:8
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
This verse encourages believers, specifically men, to lift up holy hands in prayer, emphasizing the importance of a pure heart and a peaceful disposition when approaching God.
Raising holy hands signifies surrender, reverence, and dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His guidance and intervention in our lives.
Exodus 17:11-12
“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”
This passage describes the powerful symbolism of raised hands in battle. As long as Moses kept his hands lifted, the Israelites were victorious, signifying their dependence on God’s strength and protection.
When Moses grew weary, Aaron and Hur came alongside him, physically supporting his raised hands. This narrative depicts the significance of community and the mutual encouragement needed to sustain our spiritual battles.
Psalm 28:2
“Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”
In this verse, the psalmist demonstrates a posture of seeking God’s mercy and help by lifting their hands toward His holy dwelling place.
Raising hands symbolizes our longing for God’s presence, our desire for His intervention, and our complete trust in His ability to answer our prayers.
Lamentations 2:19
“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.”
This verse urges the people to cry out to God, pouring out their hearts and lifting up their hands in earnest supplication for the desperate situation they face.
Elevated hands indicate an act of desperation and surrender, acknowledging our complete dependence on God’s provision and intervention.
Psalm 63:4
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Here, the psalmist expresses their commitment to praise God continually and, in doing so, lifts their hands as an expression of worship and adoration.
Raising hands in praise signifies a joyful recognition of God’s greatness, honor, and worthiness of our worship.
Ezra 9:5
“Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God.”
In this verse, Ezra humbles himself before God, expressing remorse and repentance for the sins of his people. He falls on his knees with his hands spread out in a pleading posture.
Hands spread out represents a gesture of supplication and humility, acknowledging our need for God’s forgiveness and mercy.
Psalm 119:48
“I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.”
This verse conveys the psalmist’s devotion to God’s commands, lifting their hands as a symbol of obedience and reverence.
Raised hands demonstrate our submission to God’s Word, our desire to follow His precepts, and our commitment to meditate on His truth.
Ezra 9:6
“I prayed: ‘I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.’
Here, Ezra expresses deep shame and disgrace due to the overwhelming sins committed by his people. He feels unworthy to lift his face or hands towards God.
This verse reflects how guilt and sin can hinder us from boldly approaching God, reminding us of the need for confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness.
Psalm 141:2
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”
Comparing prayer to incense and lifted hands to a sacrificial offering, this verse beautifully portrays the psalmist’s desire for their prayers to please God.
Raised hands represent our heartfelt prayers ascending to God, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice with a pleasing aroma to Him.
Psalm 134:2
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”
This verse commands God’s people to lift their hands in the sanctuary as an act of praise and worship to the Lord.
Raising hands in a sacred place signifies our wholehearted adoration and acknowledgment of God’s presence, giving Him glory and honor.
Psalm 119:15
“I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.”
In this verse, the psalmist emphasizes the importance of meditating on God’s precepts and reflecting on His ways.
Though it does not explicitly mention lifting hands, it implies an internal posture of seeking understanding and insight, which can lead to an external expression of raised hands in awe and submission.
Psalm 143:6
“I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.”
Here, the psalmist portrays a deep longing and desperate thirst for God by spreading out their hands.
Elevated hands signify our intense desire for communion with God, recognizing that He alone can satisfy and quench our spiritual thirst.
1 Kings 8:22
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven.”
In this verse, Solomon, the wisest king, demonstrates a posture of humility and reverence by spreading out his hands towards heaven as he addresses God in the presence of the people.
Spreading out hands signifies a position of submission, respect, and awe in the presence of God and invites His divine presence and blessings.
Psalm 119:48
“I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.”
This verse conveys the psalmist’s devotion to God’s commands, lifting their hands as a symbol of obedience and reverence.
Raised hands demonstrate our submission to God’s Word, our desire to follow His precepts, and our commitment to meditate on His truth.
Lamentations 3:41
“Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: ‘We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.’
This verse encourages the people to lift up their hearts and hands to God in acknowledgment of their sins and rebellion, seeking His forgiveness and mercy.
Raised hands symbolize a sincere plea for reconciliation with God, a genuine confession of sin, and a humble request for His grace.
Psalm 88:9
“My eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you.”
In this verse, the psalmist expresses their deep sorrow and distress, continuously calling out to God and extending their hands towards Him.
Spreading out hands signifies an act of desperation, crying out to God for comfort, help, and deliverance in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
“David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, ‘Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.’
This passage demonstrates David’s public praise and adoration of God in the presence of the assembly, declaring His greatness, power, and sovereignty.
Although it does not specifically mention raised hands, the heartfelt praises described here undoubtedly involve external expressions of awe, including the possibility of lifted hands.
Ezra 10:1
“While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.”
In this passage, Ezra models a posture of humility, prayer, and repentance as he throws himself down before the house of God.
While it does not explicitly mention raised hands, this verse illustrates the collective sorrow and remorse of the people, possibly involving raised hands as they seek God’s forgiveness and restoration.
2 Chronicles 6:12-13
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands, and prayed.”
Here, Solomon sets an example of leadership by standing before the altar, spreading out his hands, and offering a prayer to God in the presence of the entire assembly.
Spreading out hands signifies a position of authority, seeking God’s guidance and blessing for the people under his care.
Psalm 141:2
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”
This verse beautifully depicts the psalmist’s desire for their prayers to be pleasing to God, comparing the lifting up of hands to the evening sacrifice.
Raised hands symbolize a spiritual offering, a heartfelt and genuine prayer, ascending to God as a fragrant aroma, bringing pleasure to His presence.
1 Chronicles 16:10-11
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
In these verses, the psalmist instructs believers to glory in God’s holy name, rejoice in their hearts, and continually seek His face and strength.
While it does not specifically mention raised hands, the posture of seeking God’s face is often accompanied by an external expression of lifted hands, embracing His presence and seeking His guidance.
May these Bible verses and their commentaries encourage you to understand the significance of raising hands in various aspects of our relationship with God. Whether in prayer, worship, surrender, confession, or seeking His face, let our raised hands reflect hearts of humility, reverence, and surrender before the Almighty God. As we lift our hands in faith, may we experience a deep connection with God, knowing that He hears our cries, accepts our praise, forgives our sins, and strengthens us for the journey of faith.