Lift Those Hands

Two simple commands start the verses of "Lift Those Hands": "Lift those hands, 'cause He's worthy, lift those hands, 'cause He's great," and in the next verse the same with "clap those hands." Marvin Sapp gives the reason in the third line of both, "we were made to give You worship." The actions follow Psalm 134:2 on lifting hands and Psalm 47:1 on clapping them.

The chorus supplies the reasons. "For He made us a little lower than the angels," from Psalm 8:5, "and He saved us to give majesty and glory to His name." A challenge follows, "if you're not ashamed, come on, Zion, lift those hands and praise the Lord today," in the spirit of Romans 1:16.

The bridge turns to the word itself: "Hallelujah in His presence, hallelujah is the highest praise, worship Him for He desires." Several vamps repeat the commands, adding "if you know He's strong and mighty," "give His name the highest praise," and the closing "come on and lift those hands." It reads as a call-and-response for a congregation more than a narrative song.