The Seven Words for PRAISE

Today, we’ll examine a category of psalms known as the praise psalms as we break down the seven Hebrew words for “praise.”

Halal: To boast; to rave; to shine; to celebrate; to be clamorously foolish

Halal is the primary Hebrew word for praise. It’s the root of the word hallelujah. An exuberant expression of celebration, halal connotes boasting, raving, or celebrating. It carries with it a notion of acting in a way that is “clamorously foolish.” True halal contemplates laying aside your inhibitions and killing your self-consciousness.

Discussion Question 1: What does it look like to “halal” praise?

Yadah: To revere or worship with extended hands; to hold out hands; to throw a stone or arrow

Yadah describes those moments when the Hebrew people were so overcome by the glory of God that their hands shot upwards in response.

Discussion Question 2: When was the last time you were so overcome by the Lord that you couldn’t help but raise your hands to worship Him?

Towdah: An extension of the hand; thanksgiving; a confession; a sacrifice of praise; thanksgiving for things not yet received

Picture a choir of worshippers praising God with expectation. The psalmist used towdah as an expression of confession, a way to convey trust in the goodness of God.

Discussion Question 3: Why is towdah praise such an important part of the Christian life and faith?

Barak: To kneel; to bless God (as an act of adoration); to praise; to salute; to thank

Barak is a word of humility that embodies the notion of kneeling before God and adoring Him, of recognizing one’s position in relation to Him. This word carries the connotation of bending low while keeping one’s eyes fixed on the King. To barak is to be transfixed.

Discussion Question 4: In what ways does this concept of barak cause us to be self-reflective, to examine ourselves?

Tehillah: Laudation; a hymn; a song of praise; a new song; a spontaneous song

The book of Psalms is a collection of these kinds of songs. In fact, in the Hebrew language, this book is called the Tehillum. It’s a song that comes out of your soul. It doesn’t rhyme or have meter. It’s just a song that overflows out of your story, out of your relationship with the Lord.

Discussion Question 5: If your heart had a song to sing right now, what would it be? What would overflow from you today?

Zamar: To make music or celebrate in song; to touch strings or parts of a musical instrument

This word is used throughout Psalms to connote the making of music, of celebrating in song & music, of plucking the strings of a musical instrument. It’s said that Bach composed and played music as if he were praising God, even in his instrumental arrangements. He would say, “I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.”  Bach was so convinced of this truth, that he penned the initials S.D.G. on many of his pieces, his shorthand for Soli Deo Gloria, which means “glory to God alone.”

Discussion Question 6: As Bach said, “I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.” How have you seen this to be true in your life?

Shabach: To address in a loud tone; to shout; to commend, glory, and triumph

This is the idea of a shout of praise, where God’s people come together and unite their voices to sing the same song with a united heart. When this happens, it sounds like a holy roar for God’s glory. What does that look like in today’s world? Where does that happen? It happens all the time in football arenas and soccer stadiums all over the world.

Discussion Question 7: Why are we so quick to “shabach” for our favorite sports teams, but are more hesitant and restrained when we have the opportunity to “shabach” the God who made us and saved us?

READ PSALM 150

This six-verse masterpiece that invites us to, “Praise the Lord.” So, let’s break it down:

WHY

“Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.”

We shine a spotlight on the works of God, on all He’s done. When you begin to reflect on His works, you can’t help but praise Him with deep love and affection. But that’s not all, because we also celebrate Him for WHO HE IS. We celebrate His “surpassing greatness,” His attributes, qualities, and character traits, because they’re perfect, wonderful, and worthy of honor.

There are many things people do, many things in nature and the universe, that are worthy of being highlighted and celebrated. But let’s remember that everything worthy of being admired or awed was made by His “acts of power.” Anything good or praiseworthy in us or done by us came from “His surpassing greatness.”

WHO

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Whether you want to or not, whether you love or reject God, your very existence, every breath, blink, word, and beat of your heart, every step you take, every move you make, all creatures and plants, every star in the sky, every grain of sand, every particle that makes life possible . . . highlights and celebrates the character and work of God!

WHERE

“Praise God in his sanctuary . . . in his mighty heavens.”

In His sanctuary: The sanctuary of God, the holy ground upon which His presence resided, was the most fitting place for His praise. It was a special place of worship set apart for His honor. But that place was replaced, because today we are His sanctuary, the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we’re alone, we’re His sanctuary. When we gather as believers, we’re His sanctuary. And ultimately, Jesus Himself is our sanctuary!

In His mighty heavens: Again, in the external, natural world. As you gaze upon the stars, walk along the beach, see the aurora borealis, hear the rolling thunder and feel the wind and rain beating down, as you hold out your hand and let a butterfly or snowflake land on it, as you pick a fruit from its tree and taste its sweetness . . . remember who made it all and who gave you five senses with which to take it all in.

HOW

“Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet . . . the harp and lyre . . . with timbrel and dancing . . . with the strings and pipe . . . with the clash of cymbals . . . with resounding cymbals.”

With whatever you have, celebrate, honor, and shout it loudly and proudly that God is worthy of all honor and glory! Every movement, every word, every hour spent at work, every gift, talent, treasure, or trial, and in every conversation, praise Him with it and in it.

Discussion Question 8: What does it truly mean to praise the Lord?

Discussion Question 9: How has God shown Himself to be worthy of praise?

THIS WEEK

Make a list today of all the things you see, experience, and interact with that display God’s “acts of power” and “surpassing greatness.” 

MEMORY VERSE

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”—Psalm 150 (NIV)

PRAYER GUIDE

Father, I praise You today for all that You are and all that You’ve done, are doing, and will do. I praise You with every breath because my very breath is a testament to Your love, grace, power, and goodness. It’s Your very breath of life in me and in the universe that makes everything possible. I praise You for that. I praise You, Lord, for every reason, with every expression, and with every second of my life. I give You all the glory, honor, and praise that is due YOUR name. And I thank You and praise You in the name of Your glorious Son, Jesus. Amen.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.