Psalm 134:2

Psalm 134:2

Lifting our hands

When I look back at my early years as a Christian, and the many chapel congregations that I visited as a young preacher and children’s / youth worker, I cannot ever recall seeing hands lifted to the Lord. It just was not the done thing, in fact any demonstration of emotion or physical engagement in worship was frowned upon, corporate worship and prayer were sombre, dignified and serious matters, and God was an awesome figure before whom we must stand in reverence, exhibiting self-control. How things have changed, and for the better, although there is much to be learned about veneration and humble obedience for today’s congregations!

Interestingly, the reading of numerous Scriptures enforces the view that, in Biblical times, hands were lifted to the Lord primarily in prayer rather than in worship, although the latter obviously can be prayer. This verse is quite unique in that it encourages those Levites who were on night duty, to lift up their hands and praise the Lord. What a beautiful thought, that these godly men were going about their responsibilities in the dead of night and our psalmist prompts them to raise their hands and offer praise to the Lord. Outside of the glare of public accountability and unhindered by the rites and ceremonial rituals of daytime, these men could freely demonstrate their devotion to God, unobserved. And that’s the point, let’s not restrict our hand-raising to the public singing of our favourite songs, let’s lift our hands in praise when no one else sees but the Lord Himself. Let’s make it a special part of our personal and private relationship with Him!