If you’re new to Christian worship services, participating in them can seem like playing football when you’ve never learned the rules: Why is that guy on the sidelines yelling at you? Why is the crowd so excited? Why are some players trying to break you in half while others are giving you high-fives?

This is the third installment in a once-a-week series here on sojournmusic.com, explaining some of the things you might see in a Christian worship service, and what these things have to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Not all churches do all of these things, and not all Christians do these things.  It’s important to remember that they don’t have to — we aren’t talking about essential beliefs necessary to salvation.  But still, there is a “method behind the madness” in kneeling to pray, lifting hands towards heaven, and other physical expressions of worship that Christians often use.

Why Clap Your Hands

In the Bible, clapping hands is a way to express happiness and excitement. 2 Kings 11:2 says that when Joash became king, the people clapped their hands and shouted “Long live the king!” And Psalm 98:8 tells us to praise the Lord because He is coming as King and Judge of the earth.

Then it says that even the hills should “clap their hands.” And Isaiah 55:12 describes the trees clapping for joy when God saves His people from captivity. Of course hills and trees can’t really clap. The Bible often uses strange images to make us realize something important - in this case, that we should join all of creation in praising God.

Most times these days, people clap to the beat of the songs we sing for God. This is a way people use their whole bodies to praise Him, along with their voices. It helps us to “make a joyful, loud noise” to the Lord (Psalm 98:4).

Straight From The Source: Psalm 47:1

“O Clap your hands all you people; shout to God with a voice of triumph.”

Why Many Christians Raise Their Hands When Singing And Praying

Why Christians Often Pray On Bended Knees

• description: An explanation from the Bible as to why some Christians clap hands in worship
• keywords: worship practices, hand clapping in church, psalm 47:1, psalm 98:4
• title: Worship Practices Explained: Why Do Some Christians Clap Hands In Church

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