I’m taking seven weeks to go through different Hebrew actions words given in scripture in reference to worship and praise. If you haven’t read the first week, or seen the video overview, please go read last week’s post before continuing this one.
Today, let’s look at the Hebrew word, Yadah.
Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psalm 63:4 (NKJV)
I grew up in conservative church. Raising hands, dancing, and shouting weren’t seen often or well perceived during corporate worship. As I’ve grown in my understanding of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, my eyes have been enlightened to God’s heart on this matter. He craves our praise. He inhabits, or reveals His presence in our praise.
Like you and I, God’s heart enjoys our enjoyment of Him. He delights in our excitement.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107:15 (KJV)
Here, we see King David, the great worship leader/teacher in scripture, yearning for men to praise God with outstretched hands. The word translated as “praise” in this text is “yadah” in the original Hebrew.
If you’ve never experienced a time of praise with your arms stretched out, get those hands out of your pockets!