SEVEN WAYS TO PRAISE

Tonight, we are looking at seven Hebrew words for praise.

These words give us seven ways to praise the Lord.

1. Halal – to celebrate the presence of the Lord

“Halal” is the root word of the word, “hallelujah”.

“Hallelujah” is the Hebrew word translated “praise the Lord” in the Psalms.

Psalm 150:1 – “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament!”

Psalm 150:2 – “Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”

Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

Halal – to be clear, to shine, to boast, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish (Strongs)

Halal – to praise, celebrate, glory, boast (W.E. Vine)

“A tremendous enthusiasm in the act of praising.” – Terry Law

2 Samuel 6:22a – “And I will be even more undignified than this and will be humble in my own sight.”

2. Yadah – to praise the Lord with uplifted hands

Yadah – to use the hand, to worship with extended hands

Psalm 63:4 – “Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your Name.”

Psalm 28:2 – “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.”

2 Chronicles 20:21 – “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 20:22 – “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”

3. Tehillah – to praise the Lord with singing

2 Chronicles 20:22a – “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir.”

Psalm 100:4a – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.”

Tehillah – a hymn, a song of praise, celebrating the Lord with a song

“Spontaneous singing in the Spirit.” – Norman Robertson

Ephesians 5:19 – “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

4. Towdah – to bring before the Lord a sacrifice of praise

Towdah – a sacrifice of praise or thanks (Strongs)

Psalm 100:4a – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving [towdah].”

“This word is often used to thank God for things that have yet to happen.” – Terry Law

Psalm 50:23a – “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me.”

Hebrews 13:15 – “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name.”

5. Zamar – to praise the Lord with musical instruments

Zamar – to touch the strings of a musical instrument. (Strongs)

Zamar – to celebrate in song and music (Strongs)

“To rejoice before the Lord with musical instruments.” – Norman Robertson

Psalm 150:3 – “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp!”

Psalm 150:4 – “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!”

Psalm 150:5 – “Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!”

6. Shabach – to praise the Lord with a shout

Shabach – to address in a loud tone (Strongs)

“To give a loud shout unto the Lord.” – Norman Robertson

Psalm 63:3 – “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.”

Psalm 47:1 – “O clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph.”

7. Barak – to bless the Lord on bended knee

Barak – to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration (Strongs)

“Kneeling and blessing God as an act of adoration.” – Terry Law

Psalm 145:1 – “I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your Name forever and ever.”

Psalm 145:2 – “Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your Name forever and ever.”

Psalm 103:1 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.”