There are many references to show that dance was part of Israel's culture. It still is today!
Jephtah's daughter - Judges 11v34
Ladies dancing in the vineyard - Judges 21v21-23
Children playing games - Matthew 11v17
The return of the prodigal son - Luke 15v25
Celebrating victory - 1 Samuel 18v6-7
Dance is associated with joy and contrasted with mourning
Lamentations 5v15
Psalm 30v11
Ecclesiastes 3v4
There is to be dancing (and joy) when Israel is restored - Jeremiah 31v4&13
Miriam led dancing, singing and praise - Exodus 15v20-21
David danced before the Ark of the Lord - 2 Samuel 6v14-23
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
We are to praise God with dancing - Psalm 150v4
Psalm 149v3
Other references in the Bible to lively worship included dance. Hebrew words that have meanings related to physical movement were translated into English as "rejoice".
