Hallelujah: the meaning and power of praise
Hallelujah is probably the best-known word of praise in the world. It is sung in churches of every tradition, appears in hymns, gospel choirs, the Easter liturgy and even popular songs. The famous “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s oratorio Messiah is performed every year around the world, and it is customary to stand while hearing it. But what does Hallelujah really mean? Where does it come from, and how should we use it? In this article we explain its biblical origin, its meaning and its power for the life of faith.
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
Psalm 150:6
The meaning: “Praise Jah!”
Hallelujah comes from the Hebrew hallelu-Yah. It has two parts. Hallelu is the plural imperative of the verb halal, meaning to praise, celebrate, boast, even with the idea of shining or making radiant. Yah is the short form of God’s sacred name, YHWH, usually rendered in English Bibles as the LORD or Jehovah. So Hallelujah literally means “Praise Jah!” or “Praise the Lord!”.
It is important to notice that it is an invitation addressed to others. It does not only say “I praise”, but “all of you, praise”. Whoever says Hallelujah becomes someone who calls the community to worship. That is why the word is so fitting for congregational worship: it is a collective call to glorify God.
The King James Version keeps the phrase “Praise ye the Lord” in many psalms, and in Psalm 68:4 even preserves the short name “JAH”.
Hallelujah in the Psalms
In the Old Testament the expression hallelu-Yah appears only in the book of Psalms, about twenty-four times. Many psalms begin and end with it, like frames of praise. Scholars have identified groups called “Hallelujah psalms”, especially Psalms 111 to 118 and 146 to 150.
The last five psalms of the book (146 to 150) begin and end with Hallelujah. It is as if the whole book of Psalms, which runs through tears, laments, questions, confessions and victories, finally pours out into an explosion of praise. Psalm 150, the last, invites us to praise God in his sanctuary and in his firmament, with trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, dance, strings, organs and cymbals, and ends: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”
Psalm 146:1-2
The Passover Hallel
Psalms 113 to 118 make up the so-called Egyptian Hallel, which the Jewish people sang at the great feasts, especially at the Passover meal, remembering the deliverance from Egypt. Psalm 113 begins: “Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.”
This has a beautiful implication for Christians. Matthew and Mark relate that at the end of the Last Supper Jesus and his disciples, “when they had sung an hymn, went out into the mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30). Many scholars think that hymn was the final part of the Hallel, Psalms 115 to 118. In other words, on the way to Gethsemane and the cross, Jesus sang Hallelujah psalms.
Hallelujah in the New Testament: Revelation
Surprisingly, in the New Testament the word Hallelujah appears in only one chapter: Revelation 19, where it is repeated four times. John heard in heaven the voice of a great multitude celebrating God’s victory over evil and the marriage of the Lamb:
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
Revelation 19:6-7
It is significant that the word that closes the Psalms is also the one that resounds in the final vision of history. Israel’s Hallelujah in the temple becomes heaven’s Hallelujah before the throne. The Church’s praise on earth is a foretaste of eternal praise.
Hallelujah and Hosanna: what is the difference?
These two Hebrew words are sometimes confused. Hosanna means “save, we pray!”: it is a cry asking for salvation that also became an acclamation. Hallelujah means “praise the Lord!”: an invitation to praise for who God is and what he has done. We could say that Hosanna looks towards the salvation we need, and Hallelujah celebrates the salvation received. You can read our article on Hosanna.
Hallelujah in the history of the Church
From the earliest centuries Christians adopted Hallelujah in their worship without translating it, as they did with Amen and Hosanna. In liturgical tradition, Hallelujah is especially tied to Christ’s resurrection. In the Catholic Church and other traditions it is sung before the Gospel reading, omitted during Lent, and joyfully proclaimed again at the Easter Vigil. In the Orthodox churches, Alleluia is a constant part of the liturgy.
Saint Augustine, in the fourth century, preached that Christian life on earth is a time when we sing Alleluia as pilgrims, sustained by hope, while in heaven we will sing it in full possession. In one of his sermons he urged believers to sing Alleluia and keep on walking.
In music, Hallelujah has inspired countless works. The best known is the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah, composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741 and based on texts from Revelation. According to a widespread tradition, King George II of England stood up when he heard it, and ever since audiences often rise during its performance, although historians debate whether that episode really happened.
Praising God: more than a word
Saying Hallelujah is not simply uttering a religious word. In the Bible, praise is the response of one’s whole being to God’s greatness. The psalmists praise God for his creation, faithfulness, mercy, justice and works of salvation. To praise is to acknowledge who God is and give him the glory he deserves.
The Bible shows that praise does not depend on circumstances. Job, after losing everything, said: “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, sang praises to God at midnight (Acts 16:25). Habakkuk declared that though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit, he would rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17-18). The most powerful Hallelujah is sometimes sung through tears.
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1
A reverent use
Like every sacred word, Hallelujah deserves to be used with reverence. In some settings it has become a mere exclamation or filler. The Bible invites us not to take God’s name in vain. When we say Hallelujah, we are invoking the name of Jah; so it is worth saying it with awareness, gratitude and faith.
Hallelujah in believers’ daily life
In many Christian cultures, especially in Latin America and Africa, Hallelujah is part of the everyday language of faith: it is said on receiving good news, seeing a prayer answered or gathering for worship. Rightly understood, it is a constant reminder that every good thing comes from God and that he deserves the glory at every moment.
Interesting facts
A universal word: Hallelujah, along with Amen, is one of the most recognisable words in almost every language.
Only in Psalms and Revelation: in the Bible the expression appears in the Psalms and, in the New Testament, only in Revelation 19.
The five final psalms: Psalms 146 to 150 begin and end with Hallelujah.
Jesus sang the Hallel: according to Passover custom, the hymn sung on leaving the upper room probably included the Hallelujah psalms.
Silence in Lent: many churches stop singing Alleluia during Lent and resume it joyfully at Easter.
“Halal”: the Hebrew root for praise is also associated with shining: praising God makes his glory shine.
How to live a Hallelujah life
Praise every morning: begin the day remembering one concrete reason to praise God. Sing the Psalms: read aloud a Hallelujah psalm, such as 103, 146 or 150; you can find them in full in our Psalms section. Praise in community: Hallelujah is plural; it is best lived with others. Praise in trials: praise strengthens faith when we don’t understand what is happening. Praise with your life: obedience, generosity and love also glorify God. Look forward to the great Hallelujah: live in hope of the day when all creation will praise the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, Hallelujah! I praise you because you are great, good and faithful. I praise you for creation, for your Word, for your mercy and above all for Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to give me life. Teach me to praise you in days of joy and in days of tears. Put a new song in my mouth and use me to invite others to praise you. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Hallelujah. Amen.