What does the Bible say about clapping hands in church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible permits joyful, reverent bodily expressions of praise, including clapping, when they arise from faith and honor God rather than self-display or disorder. Psalm 47:1 calls all peoples to clap their hands and shout to God with joy because he reigns as the great King. Isaiah 55:12 and Psalm 98:8 use creation’s imagined clapping to portray the overflowing gladness of God’s saving reign. These texts do not require clapping in every worship service, nor do they make it the measure of spiritual vitality. In gathered worship, Christians should seek edification, reverence, and good order, receiving such expressions with charity where they genuinely serve joyful praise.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 47:1 15 votes
> Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
- Isaiah 55:12 4 votes
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.
- Psalms 98:8 4 votes
Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
- Revelation 1:1 4 votes
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,
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