Praise-“Hallelujah” consists of two words in Hebrew, the verb “Halal,” which means “to praise” and the noun Jah {Yah} a shortened form of Jehovah {Yahweh}, God’s covenant name, the “Self Existing One, “I Am that I Am”-{Exodus 3:14}. “Halal” -{Praise.} means “To Boast” as in Psalm 34:2″ My soul shall make its BOAST in the LORD.” “Halal” implies a genuine appreciation for the great actions or character of its object. So to praise is to Boast. More than half the uses of “Halal” and its various forms are found in the Book of Psalms, and that name is equivalent to “Praises!” “hālal = praise, boast (only in Piel, Pual and Hithpael). This root connotes being sincerely and deeply thankful for and/or satisfied in lauding a superior quality(ies) or great, great act(s) of the object…”-{TWOT}.
So to PRAISE the LORD, means to continually Boast, show sincere appreciation for the Greatness of His character, actions. To do so we must know something about Him, and this we can through His Revelation of Himself in His Word, The Bible. The Holy Spirit as our Teacher, opening our minds to understand the Scripture-{Read Luke 24:45} unveils God to us and His character and deeds… and incites our heart to praise, appreciate, Boast and glory in Him!
The word, “halal” is associated with the the ministry of the Levites who praised God morning and night, “They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise at evening,”-{1 Chron 23:30}. But this show of great appreciation, praise,boasting in the greatness of God and His deeds, focus on Him is also a call to all creation to join in
“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,…” -{Psalm 148;1-4}.
And the Psalmist calls for them in the use of instruments to be used in celebration, appreciation, a crescendo of praise to the LORD- { Psalm 150:3-5}
We praise Him by voice, with song and here in these verse with musical instruments!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
and also individually we join in, ” Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! “-{Psalm 146:1}. The focus is on God, His character and works and His Word gives us fuel to fill our hearts with truths to motivate, stimulate, ignite, great boasting, praise, appreciation to Him, our wondrous, glorious LORD. Let us begin to look at Him, look to Him and beginning a habit to find reason to praise Him continually.
Hallelujah~ Comes from two Hebrew words, “Hale???l ***** check what word used for praise halel?
“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. “-{Psalm 33:1}
“And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness And Your praise all day long.”
Spurgeon: Unceasing praise is here vowed to the just and gracious God. From morning till evening the grateful tongue would talk and sing, and glorify the Lord. O for such a resolve carried out by us all!
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.” -{Psalm 40:3}
Psalm 48:10 As is Your Name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Spurgeon: Great fame is due to His great Name. The glory of Jehovah’s exploits overleaps the boundaries of earth; angels behold with wonder, and from every star delighted intelligences proclaim His fame beyond the ends of the earth. What if men are silent, yet the woods, and seas, and mountains, with all their countless tribes, and all the unseen spirits that walk them, are full of the divine praise. As in a shell we listen to the murmurs of the sea, so in the convolutions of creation we hear the praises of God.
Psalm 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.
Spurgeon: If God opens the mouth he is sure to have the fruit of it. According to the porter at the gate is the nature of that which comes out of a man’s lips; when vanity, anger, falsehood, or lust unbar the door, the foulest villainies troop out; but if the Holy Spirit opens the wicket, then grace, mercy, peace, and all the graces come forth in tuneful dances, like the daughters of Israel when they met David returning with the Philistine’s head.