Hannah McClure - Lift Up Holy Hands / He's Alive Lyrics

Lift Up Holy Hands/He's Alive - Bethel Music, Hannah McClure, Noah Paul Harrison

Lift Up Holy Hands / He's Alive Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

The song "Lift Up Holy Hands / He's Alive" by Hannah McClure, released by Bethel Music featuring Noah Paul Harrison on March 15, 2024, is a powerful worship piece that focuses on expressing profound adoration for God and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The structure of the song moves fluidly between declarations of God's glorious nature and the triumphant assertion of Christ's victory over death, inviting listeners into a space of corporate praise and faith.

The initial section of the lyrics is a rich tapestry of descriptors applied to God, painting a picture of His divine attributes. Words like "holy, wonderful, marvelous, glorious, Omnipotent, righteous and mighty" are not merely adjectives but declarations of theological truth, highlighting His unique and supreme nature. This is immediately followed by a series of action verbs that define the worshiper's response: "praise, lift You up, magnify, glorify, exalt, extol, adore." This sequence underscores the core purpose of the song – to shift focus entirely onto God and elevate Him in the hearts and minds of those singing. It's a call to active, engaged worship that acknowledges God's inherent worthiness.

Interspersed and building throughout the song is the recurring exclamation, "Hallelujah." This single word, meaning "Praise the Lord," serves as a universal and timeless expression of worship. Its repetition acts as an anchor and a catalyst, allowing the simple yet profound act of praising God to build in intensity and communal participation. It becomes a foundational response to the acknowledgment of God's character described in the preceding lines, creating a cycle of declaration and praise.

The song then shifts focus to a central tenet of Christian faith: the resurrection. The declaration, "He's alive, and He's alive, and He is risen," introduces a specific reason for the preceding general praise. This phrase is a direct proclamation of the historical and theological truth of Jesus' victory over death. It transforms the worship from a general reverence for God's attributes to a specific celebration of Christ's redemptive work. The call to "Lift your voice, lift up your faith today" directly connects this truth to personal and corporate belief, linking the physical act of singing with the internal posture of faith.

The song masterfully blends these two core themes – the adoration of God's character and the celebration of Christ's resurrection – into a cohesive worship experience. It is designed to be declarative and participatory, encouraging the congregation to join in lifting voices and hands in response to who God is and what Christ has done. The repetition serves to reinforce the key messages and facilitate corporate engagement, creating an atmosphere of focused and joyful praise.

The message of the song is clear and deeply rooted in Christian theology. It reminds believers of God's supreme holiness and power, and provides a powerful, concise statement of faith in the resurrection of Jesus. This truth is the cornerstone of Christian hope and salvation. By linking the attributes of God the Father with the finished work of God the Son, the song offers a comprehensive expression of worship that is both vertical (focused on God) and redemptive (focused on Christ). It inspires confidence in God's power and celebrates the living reality of the risen Savior.

Scriptural references that resonate with the themes found in this song include passages that describe God's holiness and power, such as Isaiah 6:3 ("Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"), or Psalms that call for praise, like Psalm 96:4 ("For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods."). The declaration of Christ's resurrection is central to the New Testament, found in passages such as Romans 10:9 ("...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.") and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (detailing the gospel including Christ's death, burial, and resurrection). The act of lifting hands in worship is seen in various scriptures, such as Psalm 63:4 ("So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.").

The song video, released through Bethel Music, captures the essence of this worship experience, featuring Hannah McClure and Noah Paul Harrison leading a congregation. This visual element typically enhances the participatory feel of the song, allowing viewers to connect with the atmosphere of collective praise and devotion. The live worship setting often depicted in such videos underscores the communal aspect of the song's message and its intended use within a church or gathering context, inviting listeners globally to join in declaring the holiness of God and the reality of the risen Christ.