Hallelujah, Halleleu-Yah

Our God is worthy to be praised and all Christians praise Him with every fiber of our being. We praise and honor and give glory to His precious name for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ who, while we were yet sinners, died. We praise Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do.

We lift up adoration and praise thanking Him for considering us worthy of the precious gift of life. We praise Him because of who He is and the vastness of His glorious Being. We praise Him for the power He demonstrates in His creation and in the lives of His creatures. We bow in awe of His majesty and grace and love. All of this and more is encompassed in our modern day expression, Hallelujah!

But in the Old Testament, it is Hallelu-Yah that is translated “Praise the Lord” and not Hallelujah. Hallelujah is a compound word (two words joined to form one). In original Hebrew it is a hyphenated word and not a compound. It actually became a compound in Greek and other languages. The Greek allelouia has the identical meaning of Hallelujah and like “Amen” has become almost universal in usage. It is an acclimation of praise in the highest order, praising God in our most expressive reverence, awe, and humility. In Holy Scriptures, its use is primarily limited to songs of praise, appearing only in Psalm and Revelation.

The Hebrew word Hallelu-Yah is used sparingly in the Old Testament occurring only a few times in the Psalm. Other words for praise, hillel/hallel, are used much more frequently throughout the Old Testament, but not Hallelu-Yah. Maybe, in the mind of the children of Israel, it held a certain sacredness that was distinct and they therefore restricted a common use.

Hallel praise seems to be chant praises of thanksgiving that includes several groups of psalms, the main being the “Great Hallel” of Psalm 136. But by far considered the most significant Hallel is the “Egyptian Hallel,” Psalms 113-118. This particular Hallel was recited in Jewish homes, as an expression of joy during the course of the Passover observance, in the temple and synagogue services for the feasts of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. No doubt the Hallel played this same role in the Lord’s Last Passover observance with His disciples, and the hymn with which the meal ended was may have been either the last part of the Egyptian Hallel or the Great Hallel.

As indicated above, the most prominent use of “Praise the Lord,” was in the major Hebrew festivals and was composed for this purpose. At some point in their history the “Hallelujah’s,” became employed both at the beginning and end of the rituals. The “Egyptian Hallel,” were not only sung at the three major festivals, but were also sung at the Dedication of the Temple, and perhaps at the Feast of Tents, celebrated on our Christmas day. These are all Hallelujah hymns with the call to “Praise the Lord.” It was a summons to worship.

During the reigns of both David and Solomon, pilgrimages to Jerusalem for celebrating the great festivals were significant national events. Anyone who has attended a live performance of the Hallelujah Chorus can imagine the ancient Hebrew songs of praise at these great feasts. All five Psalms (146-150) concluding the Psalter begin and end with “Hallelujah.”

“Hallelujah,” was by no means limited to congregational use, but found expression also in personal praise. In Psalm 111:1 the soloist sang, “Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.” In Psalm 146:1-2 another sang, “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” In this Psalm, the Hebrew Hallelu-Yah is used as always, but we note in the second phrase (though the translation is the same three words), the Hebrew hallel, “praise” is used.

“Hallelujah,” appears four times in one chapter in Revelation (19: 1, 3, 4, and 6):

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, and again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

It is interesting that as the Hebrew Psalter closes with God’s chosen people singing, “Hallelujah,” the New Testament closes with God’s redeemed in heaven singing “Hallelujah.” And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Believers through the centuries, in the tradition of the Jews and early Christians have held “Hallelujah,” in liturgical and personal esteem; and today it is sung in churches and homes all over the world. “Hallelujah,” All glory to God!

This video is from Andre Rieu's "Live From Radio City Music Hall" in New York City 2004, with the Johann Strauss Orchestra and the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Every Christian knows what it feels like to fight hard battles against powers and principalities and rulers of darkness. Every Christian knows what it feels like to face times when it seems easier to give up than to go on. Yet, we may have been hard pressed on every side, but we were not crushed; we may have been persecuted, but we were not abandoned; we may have been struck down, but we were not destroyed. What was it that kept us struggling on through the minefield of difficulties? It was the mighty sustaining power of our loving, merciful Father. God infused us with His mighty power. In Him, our weakness became His strength and in His strength and all-sufficient grace, we were enabled to overcome and we give Him our Hallelu-Yah (Yah is a shortened form of Yahweh).

Every now and then on our journey, we pause to give God an offering of Hallelu-Yah for all the many blessings He has so graciously bestowed upon us. Though our journey thus far has encompassed burdens, hurts, and temptations, we know we have also experienced His rich blessings, healings, and triumphs. Through it all God has proven His unfailing faithfulness, Hallelu-Yah!

As followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that we have had to experience a trial or two. On occasion, we have had to experience the fiery furnace. Once in a while, we found ourselves in the lion’s den and great troubles came knocking at our door from time to time. Yet, we discovered along the way that at some junction during the midnights of our distress, God worked His miracles. Hallelu-Yah

Pause now to give Him a Hallelu-Yah offering!

Almighty and eternal God, who destined Your only begotten Son to be Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by His precious blood, we praise Your holy name. All glory, laud, and honor belong to You alone and to You alone do we offer this prayer of love, praise and thanksgiving. We thank you Father God, in the name and blood of our Savior, for the grace of venerating the price of our redemption. May we live out our days on this earth in such a way that brings honor to You; through Christ Jesus, our Lord. “Hallelujah,” Amen.