Shane & Shane - Give Us Clean Hands Lyrics
Lyrics
We bow our Hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols
So give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
We bow our Hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
Oh Lord we cast out our idols
So give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
So give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
And God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks your face
Oh God of Jacob
Oh God of Jacob
Video
Give Us Clean Hands
Meaning & Inspiration
Released as part of The Worship Initiative, Vol. 5 in July of 2014, Shane & Shane's "Give Us Clean Hands" is a powerful and resonant anthem that goes beyond mere musical expression to offer a profound spiritual plea. The song's genesis, while not detailed beyond its placement within a worship collective, speaks volumes about its purpose: to equip and inspire collective praise and spiritual introspection. At its core, "Give Us Clean Hands" is a fervent prayer for spiritual purity and unwavering devotion. The lyrics articulate a deep yearning to turn away from worldly distractions and misplaced allegiances, acknowledging the pervasive human tendency to seek fulfillment in idols rather than in the divine. The opening verses, with their imagery of bowing hearts and bending knees, immediately set a posture of humility and surrender, echoing the biblical call to approach God with reverence. The central petition, for "clean hands" and "pure hearts," is not a superficial request but a profound yearning for inner transformation. This directly aligns with the teachings found throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 24:4, which asks, "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only the person who has clean hands and a pure heart..." The desire expressed in the song to "not lift our souls to another" is a clear rejection of idolatry, a recurring theme and command in the Old Testament, as seen in the Ten Commandments themselves: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). The song further articulates a aspiration to be "a generation that seeks your face," a sentiment beautifully mirrored in passages like 1 Chronicles 16:10-11, which exhorts believers to "glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice." The invocation of "God of Jacob" grounds the prayer in the rich history of God's faithfulness, reminding us of His covenantal relationship with His people, a legacy of seeking and being found. The repetitive structure of the chorus amplifies the earnestness of the plea, creating a meditative and insistent call for God's intervention in the lives of the worshippers, urging a collective commitment to a life lived in pursuit of His presence and holiness. This song, therefore, serves as a compelling lyrical and theological exploration of what it means to approach the divine with an uncompromised spirit, seeking not just external observance, but a deep-seated internal renewal.