My thoughts recently turned to a familiar psalm and read the words:
“Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, Who serve by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 134, NASB)
This psalm is the last of the psalms known as “The Psalms of Ascent” or the pilgrims’ songs. The people traveling to Jerusalem used these psalms as a call to praise the Lord in the Temple. This particular psalm was the benediction used as they prepared to leave the temple in Jerusalem, and return to their homes in various regions.
Reading the psalm again, my thoughts begin to focus on one line: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.”
My commentary informs me it was common for worshippers in that day to lift up their hands.
“It represented the upward focus of their praise and prayer, a symbolic gesture of a teachable spirit and submissive will.”
(Holman Old Testament Commentary, Vol. 12, page 313)
As we lift our hands to the Lord in worship, and in praise, we come to recognize the many blessings He has bestowed on our lives. With that recognition, we bless God with our worship ”“ pure and heartfelt.
This psalm brings both an invitation, but also a command in these words. Join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE as we take a closer look at the connection.
Being the “old guy” I am, whom my pastor recently referred to as “Old School”, I truly enjoyed this message. As a little boy, I spent time in the Baptist church. After my adoption, my new family were members of an Assembly of God church. I remember being taken aback by the culture shock that occurred between the two congregations, both worshipping the same Lord but in very different ways. One was choir robes with an organ or piano accompaniment, the other a six-piece band with only a few amplified singers. Neither was wrong per say, but they were definitely different. The first was a more reverent and solemn experience. The other, a joyous celebration. I learned that both offer an opportunity to worship and praise God for all He is and all He does. For me, it comes down to a level of comfort. Admittedly, I’m a hymnal-holding, sing-along, “dyed in the wool” Baptist, and have been for many years. However, I’ve seen the form of worship music changing there too. Is it for the better? I can’t really say. I’ve come to enjoy both forms, but if I had my preference, I still like the old songs and their rich meaning. Perhaps because they’re a bit quieter and soul-stilling, for me anyway. But, and I don’t want to get away from your post too far, there’s the action of hand-raising in praise. I used to think that it drew attention to that person but have come to believe more it demonstrates that person’s commitment to praising and worshipping God. Isn’t that, after all, the purpose of worship music? In our church today, we have some (like me) who might tap their feet or the chair in front of them as the praise band performs, while others lift their hands in praise and adoration. I think my favorites though are my friend Ms. Kathy, a woman of small stature who dances in place as the Spirit moves her and Ms. Diana, who is deaf and signs the song instead of singing. Both bring great joy to my heart as I share in their fellowship. Thanks for such a great post this morning. You made my heart smile.
J.D., we have had such similar church experiences, so I can appreciate your thoughts here. It is amazing how worship is such a personal experience to us all, even when we are in a corporate setting. And that is the beauty of worship – it is our offering to the Lord. You made me smile this morning as I thought about how the Lord receives all our worship and it blesses Him. Thank you for sharing as you blessed me today!