Oh god once again, we come into your presence with expectancy in our hearts
God we know your gonna bless us
So we lift our hands in the sanctuary
And we give you glory and honor and praise
Come on, come on
We lift our hands in the sanctuary
We lift our hands to give you the glory
We lift our hands to give you the praise
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise you for the rest of our day's 2x
Come on lift your hands in his presence
And if you love him open up your mouth and glorify him
Lets take it a little higher
We clap our hands in the sanctuary
We clap our hands to give you the glory
We clap our hands to give you the praise
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise for the rest of our days
Come on clap your hands all you people
And shout to God with the blessed of triumph
We sing a song in the sanctuary
We sing a song to give you the glory
We sing a song to give you the praise
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise you for the rest of our days
Jesus we give your the praise
Emmanuel we lift up your name
Heavenly Father coming Messiah
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise you for the rest of our days
Allelujah in the sanctuary
Allelujah we give you the glory
Allelujah we give you the praise
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise you for the rest of our days
Jesus we give your the praise
Emmanuel we lift up your name
Heavenly Father coming Messiah
And we will praise you for the rest of our days
Yes, we will praise you for the rest of our days
5x
Yes, yes Lord for the rest of our days 6x
Allelujah 6X
For the rest of our days
We Lift Our Hands
We Lift Our Hands Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Kirk Franklin's song "We Lift Our Hands" is a powerful anthem of worship, expressing a communal desire to enter God's presence with anticipation and gratitude. Released as a video on platforms on October 24, 2009, the song serves as an invitation and instruction for believers to engage physically and vocally in praise. It moves beyond passive acknowledgment, calling listeners to active participation through symbolic gestures deeply rooted in worship tradition: lifting hands, clapping hands, singing a song, and shouting. This progression builds momentum, encouraging a full-bodied and heartfelt expression of devotion to God within the setting of a sanctuary or gathering of believers.
The core message of the song centers on dedicating outward actions of praise to God, declaring the intention to do so for a lifetime. Each verse focuses on a specific action – lifting hands, clapping hands, singing, and finally culminating in the declaration of "Allelujah" – asserting that these acts are performed specifically "to give you the glory" and "to give you the praise." The repeated refrain, "And we will praise you for the rest of our days," solidifies this commitment, transforming the immediate acts of worship into a lifelong promise of devotion. The song emphasizes that worship is not a momentary event but a continuous state of being.
Furthermore, the lyrics move from general acts of praise to specific reverence for the divine names and attributes. The bridge calls upon the names "Jesus," "Emmanuel," "Heavenly Father," and "Coming Messiah." Addressing Jesus directly, acknowledging Him as Emmanuel ("God with us"), recognizing God as the ultimate Father, and anticipating His return as the Messiah adds layers of theological depth to the worship. It connects the present acts of praise to the historical and future redemptive work of God, grounding the emotional expression in doctrinal truth.
The practices encouraged in the song find resonance throughout biblical scripture. Lifting hands in worship is seen as a sign of prayer, surrender, and adoration, mentioned in passages like Psalm 134:2 and 1 Timothy 2:8. Clapping and shouting are described as joyful expressions of praise and triumph, as found in Psalm 47:1, "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Singing new songs and hymns of praise is a recurring theme in the Psalms and epistles (e.g., Psalm 96:1, Colossians 3:16). The names invoked, such as Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23) and Messiah, are central to Christian theology, highlighting the identity and redemptive roles of Jesus Christ. The song encapsulates these diverse forms of worship into a unified call to praise.
"We Lift Our Hands" ultimately functions as both a corporate worship tool and a personal declaration of faith. It guides participants through a series of actions designed to focus their attention and energy on God, culminating in a powerful chorus of Allelujah. The song's structure, with its repetitive and call-and-response elements evident in the lyrics, makes it highly accessible and engaging for congregational singing. It serves as an inspirational reminder that worship is an active, joyful, and lifelong commitment to glorifying God in every possible way.
