Hands High or Not, Our Hearts Are Still Full of Praise

Inside: Whatever our worship style, old hymns remind us of timeless biblical truths and turn our hearts toward heaven, where we will all praise God together. ~

“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.”

Written by Isaac Watts in 1719, these lyrics came to mind one morning the week before Easter.

Googling the song led me to Reawaken Hymns on YouTube. One guy singing old hymns set to modern music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure. But I immediately downloaded the entire collection on Spotify—all 9 hours and 58 minutes of it—and have been listening to it ever since.

The Soundtrack of My Youth

Hymns are as much a part of my DNA as storytelling and Italian spaghetti sauce. I listen and remember: Worship services in the sanctuary of my childhood church, organ on one side, piano on the other, wooden pulpit in the middle. Standing with dear friends, red hymnal open between us, trying to match their voices as they sang the alto part.

As a girl, I preferred hymns with choruses. “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” “Standing on the Promises.” “Trust and Obey.” I haven’t sung these songs congregationally in decades, yet the words are at the tip of my tongue as I type.

The church of my youth frowned on music with a beat. During those song services I remember so well, nary a hand rose in the air. Not even close.

I have a feeling this was difficult for my mom. She left behind her Assembly of God roots when she married my dad, but she couldn’t divorce herself from her Italian spirit.

More Free to Worship

When I was older, the churches my parents attended were much freer in their expressions of worship, which my mom enjoyed immensely. Even in her 80s, she appreciated videos of contemporary groups singing on YouTube.

“I love to watch the young people worship,” she told me.

In all the years we went to the same church, I never once witnessed my mom raise a hand in praise. Randy saw more from his perch in the tech booth, though. I will be forever grateful for his covert photography skills.

When the Spirit Moves

Hand-raising seems to be somewhat selective at the church I attend now. Certain songs prompt hands—including my own—to go up here and there, but not often during hymns. Instead, as the lines of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” or “Crown Him with Many Crowns” flood the auditorium, I’m more likely to be wiping away tears as I remember my childhood church, and, of course, my parents.

At home, though, when listening to these hymns with the catchy accompaniment, I almost can’t keep my hands down, right there in the middle of my kitchen.

Those who sing with “hands high, hearts full of praise,” as Phil Wickham’s song says, aren’t any more or less spiritual than those whose hands hold hymnals every Sunday. I don’t know how you feel about it, but in my opinion, it’s a matter of preference, personality, tradition and comfort level.

Heavenly Praise

I like to imagine the scene in heaven—folks from every tribe, tongue and nation worshipping God in the way that is most closely aligned with how He made each of us.

I can picture myself there in the heavenly throng, along with my husband and daughters, parents, siblings, friends I’ve known over the years and countless millions of strangers who perhaps will become friends in eternity. Those who went to heaven before me and those who came later—voices raised in perfect praise.

I think it might sound something like this:

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op’ning day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!

• • •

Did you grow up with hymns? How do they fit into your worship now? Please share a favorite or two, if you like.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo Credits: Rock formations by Esther Ware; church service by Randy Flowers.