The Proper Work of Our Hands

Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.

Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to the what they deserve.

Because they do not regard the works of the LORD,
Nor the operation of his hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.

Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.

(Psalm 28:2-6)

The Hebrew word for “hand” is yad. It is a simple, ancient word referring to the open hand, signifying power, means, guidance. Three hands are mentioned in this psalm:

• The hand of the worshipper
• The hand of the wicked
• The hand of the LORD
  

The wicked occupy their hands with the works of evil because they do not regard the works of God’s hands. They have eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and have borne its bitter fruit. They promise good but deliver evil. In the end, the evil they have extended to others is returned to them in greater measure.

Then there are those who lift their hand toward the holy sanctuary of the LORD. The KJV translates this as “holy oracle.” It is the innermost place where the voice of the LORD is discerned and petition is granted. The wicked consults his own thoughts for the answer to his problems because he has divorced himself from the thoughts of God. But the worshipper reaches for the heart of God and finds the Tree of Life.

The hand of the LORD is His power, and His works display His purpose. The wicked give no attention to the LORD. They do not consider His Word, discern His will, consider His ways or honor His works. The righteous lift their hands in worship and lay hold of the hand of God.

The proper work of your hands is to worship and honor God. When you reach out your hand to Him, He will fill it with what is in His hands.