“And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:5-6, ESV).

I call this lesson “The Posture of Worship.” There are several different postures here. I grew up Presbyterian, famously known as the frozen chosen. I have thawed somewhat over the years, but I am certainly freer in my worship at home than at church.

Why does posture have anything to do with worship? For one, worship literally means bowing down. I think its most literal translation is a kiss of the hand, bowing down and kissing the hand of someone. Like how they kiss the pope’s ring; they are worshiping him. That doesn’t sound right, does it? In the Old Testament, it will say things like “and they came before David and worshiped.” They are bowing down before him to show honor and respect before they make their request.

The people honored God by lowering themselves. It’s a posture of humility recognizing your lowliness and His greatness, His preeminence, His exalted state. There are other postures here. Ezra is above everyone else because a platform was built so that he could be seen and heard.

When the people saw him open the book of the law, they stand. Standing is another sign of respect. They are honoring God’s Word. At the church we currently attend, sometimes the pastor will have us stand if there is going to be an extra-long reading of scripture.

Ezra gives praise to God and the people say, “Amen,” and lift their hands. We certainly read about these postures elsewhere in the Bible.

In the Psalms, you can read about bowing in worship and lifting holy hands. “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4, ESV).

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6, ESV). And that gives us another posture of kneeling.

There is also scripture that mentions David sitting before the Lord. We can sit, we can stand, we can kneel, we can lie flat; we can lift up and bow down. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of the One who made you: your Creator, your Maker!