Why do we stand to sing?

“The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”  (2 Chronicles 20:19 NASB)

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’"  (Revelation 7:9-10 NASB)

Why do we sing scripture songs as well as hymns?

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord…”  (Ephesians 5:18-19 NASB)

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  (Colossians 3:16 NASB)

Why do we clap our hands?

“O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.”  (Psalm 47:1 NASB)

Why do we lift our hands?

Hands raised in the air during worship are a symbol of surrender, adoration, and supplication.  It is a very Biblical and very personal expression of worship.

“So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

(Psalm 63:4 NASB)

“Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD.”  (Psalm 134:2 NASB)

Why do we occasionally dance?

“Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.”  (Exodus 15:20 NASB)

“Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.  Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.  Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.  Praise Him with timbrel and dancing…”

(Psalm 150:1-4a NASB)

Why do we occasionally sing in “tongues” and in English?

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  (1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NASB)

Why do we “prophesy”?

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

(1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB)

“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.”

(1 Corinthians 14:3 NASB)

“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted…”

(1 Corinthians 14:31 NASB)

Why do we sometimes have speaking in tongues and interpretation?

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.”  (1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB)

“Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.”  (1 Corinthians 14:5 NASB)