What does the Bible say about clapping?
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The Bible presents clapping chiefly as an expression of joyful praise to God and celebration of his righteous reign, while also showing that it can communicate mockery, scorn, or malicious delight. Psalm 47:1 calls all peoples to clap and shout to God with joy, and Psalm 98:8 pictures even the rivers clapping in creation's praise of the coming Judge. Isaiah 55:12 similarly portrays the renewed creation rejoicing in the Lord's saving work. Clapping also accompanied the crowning of King Joash in 2 Kings 11:12. Yet Lamentations 2:15, Job 27:23, Nahum 3:19, and Ezekiel 25:6 warn against clapping at another's ruin. Therefore, believers should let outward expressions serve sincere worship, reverence, and love.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 47:1
> Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
- Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
- Lamentations 2:15
All that pass by clap their hands at you; They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying], Is this the city that men called The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
- Psalms 98:8
Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
- Job 27:23
Men shall clap their hands at him, And shall hiss him out of his place.
- Nahum 3:19
There is no healing your wound, for your injury is fatal. All who hear the report of you clap their hands over you; for who hasn't felt your endless cruelty?
- Job 34:37
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God."
- Revelation 1:1
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
- 2 Kings 11:12
Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, [Long] live the king.
- Ezekiel 25:6
For thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have clapped your hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the despite of your soul against the land of Israel;
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