It’s one in all the holiest of all words, and one which we are able to never say enough. Holy since it is a word that drives our minds, hearts, and souls to honor the One True Almighty and Everlasting God.
When we are saying “Hallelujah,” we will not be expressing relief, as some might when their team wins the large game. Nor are we using it in thankfulness for some minor event–like finding $20 that had fallen into the couch. By no means! “Hallelujah” is reserved for our expression of religion, gratitude, wonder, and praise of the One who created and sustains the world–and who loved us a lot He sent His son to die for our sins against Him.
What Is the Meaning of the Word ‘Hallelujah’?
If you ask Merriam Webster, hallelujah is a word “used to precise praise, joy, or thanks.” Unfortunately, they’re misleading anyone who looks to them for the reality. Hallelujah, due to words that make up this word, can only mean one thing: “Praise the Lord.”
For 1000’s of years, Jews and Christians have used the word “hallelujah” to precise that our Heavenly Father is worthy of all our adoration. Praise puts us in our rightful place as created beings who owe all the things to God. Every day, believers must have hallelujah of their hearts, if not on their lips.
What Is the Hebrew Origin of the Word ‘Hallelujah’?
In Hebrew, the word we derive our song of praise from is “Halleluyah,” the foundation word of which is “halal,” meaning “to praise or extol the greatness of somebody,” combined with “Yah,” which is a shortened type of God’s name, Yahweh. That gives us a clue that the word was first utilized in the Old Testament when the private name of God was first known (abbreviated YHWH out of reverence for God’s name).
Though we see the phrase “praise the Lord” again and again within the Bible, going back to Genesis, we discover fewer references to hallelujah because Bible translators often have modified it to say “Praise the Lord.” Most scholars agree that the primary time “Hallelujah” is mentioned is in Psalm 104:35:
“But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Hallelujah, O my soul. Hallelujah.”
What other occasions does the Bible use the exhortation ‘Hallelujah’?
Where Is the Word “Hallelujah” Found within the Bible?
Chabad.org confirms that the Hebrew Old Testament (the Tanakh) shows that the primary use of the word “Hallelujah” is present in the Psalms. It is used only 24 times within the Tanakh, and only within the psalms (actually only the ultimate third of the psalms). Most notably, Psalms 146-150 each begin and end with “Hallelujah.” These psalms are known as the “final Hallel” and emphasize praising God for all He has done, and trusting Him above any human leader.
In his commentary on Psalm 104, Matthew Henry writes, “This is the primary time that we meet with Hallelujah; and it is available in here upon occasion of the destruction of the wicked; and the last time we meet with it’s upon an identical occasion. When the New-Testament Babylon is consumed, that is the burden of the song, Hallelujah, Rev 19 1, 3, 4, 6.”
Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, and 6 read:
“After this I heard what seemed like the roar of an excellent 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 without end [the great prostitute].”
“The twenty-four elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: ‘Amen, Hallelujah.'”
“Then I heard what seemed like an excellent multitude, just like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”
As believers, it’s so exciting to think that we’ll join with the Psalm writers and the “great multitude in heaven” who can be praising God with adulation meant only for Him. How can we worship him similarly here and now?
How Is “Hallelujah” Used in Worship and Music?
I believe it’s helpful to remind ourselves that there are various types of worship, not only singing. Worship can include practices like prayer, reading Scripture, and participating in church services. In addition, worship will be expressed through living like Christ by loving others, serving people in need, obeying God, or just giving Him praise when we predict of how great our God is. The Apostle Paul also mentions in Romans 12:1 that we must always present our bodies as a “living sacrifice,” which is a spiritual act of worship.
When it involves music, “Hallelujah” will be present in hymns old and latest. Considering lots of the psalms were written to be sung, it’s powerful to sing one back to God in worship. Especially a psalm like 146 that claims at the start, “Hallelujah…I’ll praise the Lord all my life. I’ll sing praise to my God so long as I live.” “Hallelujah” can elevate the song to a moment of individual or corporate praise unlike some other.
Many Christians and non-Christians know of other ways in which Hallelujah has been utilized in each sacred and secular music. In George Friedrich Handel’s oratorio “Messiah,” he wrote what has turn out to be a really famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” which incorporates refrains similar to “For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!” It’s some of the famous and regularly performed pieces of classical music–and it’s all about praising God. Contemporary Christian and gospel music (and other types of music that express worship) speak of Hallelujah. A couple of recent ones include “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music, “A Thousand Hallelujahs” by Brooke Ligertwood, “Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)” by We The Kingdom, and most recently “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that he wrote in 1984 and has been covered by many other secular artists since. While it includes biblical elements, and biblical themes like love and faith, Cohen didn’t write it in praise of God. He merely co-opted the word “Hallelujah” for the chorus.
What Is the Difference Between “Hallelujah” and “Alleluia”?
“Hallelujah” and “Alleluia” each mean “Praise the Lord,” and due to this fact will be used interchangeably. The difference is where you would possibly see either word. Catholic and Orthodox churches use “Alleluia” because this spelling was utilized in the Latin Vulgate, a fourth-century translation of the Bible into Latin. Because “Hallelujah” is present in the King James version of the Bible, Protestant churches usually tend to use this. When the King James Bible was written, the translators selected the shape that more closely coincided with the Hebrew ‘Hallelu’ and ‘Yah’.
The two components of the word “Hallelujah’ (Hallelu and Yah) give the word its power. First, whenever you praise, you will not be just commending someone. You pour out all your love, gratitude, and hope to your King, your Redeemer, your One True Love–recognizing all that God is and all that God has done and can do.
It’s an excellent practice to remind ourselves of the names of God once we are praising Him. Each name tells of a special attribute of God which helps us to know Him higher. In her article, “10 Names of God and What They Mean”, Allyson Holland gives an excellent choice of names to pick from. For instance, we are able to sing “Hallelujah” to Elohim, our “Creator God,” thanking Him for creating us and the world around us. Or Elohim Chayim, the “Living God” who’s alive and energetic in our lives in the shape of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can never exhaust the means or the explanations for our Hallelujahs.
Conclusion
Though the word “Hallelujah” appears in just two books of the Bible, the spirit of praise is woven throughout the whole Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation, we hear voices lifted in praise to the Lord, reminding us that worship must be a part of all our communication with Him—whether we’re expressing gratitude for blessings or crying out in times of trial. This also calls us to treat the word “Hallelujah” with reverence, reserving it for what truly honors the Lord moderately than saying it casually. Whether we speak the unique Hebrew or say “praise the Lord” in English, we’re offering powerful expressions of worship, gratitude, and awe—each fully deserved by a God whose greatness exceeds our imagination. Hallelujah!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Theerapong28
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance author and replica editor who prayed for years for a option to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing greater than 1,500 articles along with marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is simply too short to jot down about the rest. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a big healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the unique Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she likes to spend time together with her author daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not all the time in that order).
