Question:
Many people lift up their hands while singing. They use Psalm 134:2 and 1 Timothy 2:8 as references. I’ve always taken these as figurative rather than literal. Am I right?

Answer:
I am assuming that the reference is toward certain “Christian” groups raising their arms when singing and praying. The two verses used to support this practice are: Psalm 134:2: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD;” and 1 Timothy 2:8: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.”

Psalm 134:2 was direction for God’s earthly people Israel, but is God really asking for this activity today? Is this a genuine display of faith? Romans 14:22 says, “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God,” and verse 23, “…whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
No doubt these folks are sincere and believe that this practice is called for in the above verse, and at a glance the verse does seem to direct some action. But looking at the words in 1 Timothy 2:8 for today, we read “men” (which excludes women?), pray (excluding singing?), everywhere, (could be somewhat impractical, say while driving a car?), lifting (not raising), holy (are these that which belong to a justified one?), hands (not arms (while acknowledging that the arms and hands are attached one to the other)), without wrath (at peace?), without doubting (with confidence?).
I suggest that the thought of lifting hands might refer to the thoughts expressed in Hebrews 12:12: “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;” and in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly [confidently] to the throne of grace.”
Where the hands that hang down would indicate a heavy heart, fearfulness, and a dejected spirit, the uplifted hands would show peace and confidence.
Also we can note:
Isaiah 35:3, 4: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not.”

Job 4:3, 4: “Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.”

Acts 17:24, 25: “God…neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything.”

John 4:24: “God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
As we look at our own personal faith we can consider the person that God sees from His perspective, and we can also get an insight as to our personal testimony.

 

Please forgive the analogy, but we can readily see in the animal kingdom the difference shown in dogs for example, where one dog walks with his head and tail down looking totally defeated, and another comes bounding to his master with tail wagging and head high.