Lyrics Page
Hands Up
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Jul 22, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
MercyMe's song 'Hands Up' is an upbeat worship anthem that expresses the difficulty of putting God's greatness into words. The lyrics compare trying to describe Jesus to holding the ocean in a paper cup, emphasizing that human language falls short. The song encourages listeners to raise their hands in praise and simply say 'hallelujah' as a response to God's amazing grace. It touches on the theme of faith as believing in the unexplainable supernatural. The bridge looks forward to the day when believers will see clearly and fully understand. Overall, it's a joyful call to worship despite our limited ability to articulate God's majesty.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Here I am
For the hundredth time
Going crazy
I'm just trying to find
Words that might explain
Jesus
And what He's done for me
Every time
It feels like I'm holding
Every drop of
The entire ocean
In a paper cup
Nice try but
It's never enough
If what I'm saying's resonating
Then I think you know
Go on and throw those
Hands up
If it feels like
No words could ever describe
What it is that's running through ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Hands up
If you're wondering
How you could ever explain
What amazing grace did to ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Then again
The supernatural
For the moment
Is unexplainable
So we might believe
It's called faith
And it will set you free
If you hear me loud and clearly
Then I think you know
Go on and throw those
Hands up
If it feels like
No words could ever describe
What it is that's running through ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Hands up
If you're wondering
How you could ever explain
What amazing grace did to ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Oh oh
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Oh oh
Don't get me wrong I will always be grateful
But every time that I try I'm unable
To capture who He is
To capture who He is
No need to fuss 'cause it's just temporary
It won't be long 'til we're all seein' clearly
And finally understand
And finally understand
Hands up
If it feels like
No words could ever describe
What it is that's running through ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Hands up
If you're wondering
How you could ever explain
What amazing grace did to ya
Hands up and say hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Oh oh
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Hallelu hallelu hallelujah
Oh oh