Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HALLELUJAH

(Heb. halĕlû-yāh)

A phrase translated “Praise the Lord.” It is a plural imperative of the verb hālal, “praise,” with the object yāh (an abbreviated form of YHWH) and is used in biblical writing from the exilic period onward. It occurs 24 times in Books Four and Five of the Psalter, in Pss. 104-6, 111-13, 115-17, 135, 146-150. The book of Chronicles attests its use in cultic worship. King David appoints Levites “to praise the Lord, the God of Israel” (e.g., 1 Chr. 16:4; 23:5). “Hallelujah” is sung by Asaph and his brothers with accompanying musical instruments in 1 Chr. 16:8-36. The congregation of Israel sings praises in 16:36 and David praises the Lord in 29:10-19.

Questions exist regarding the use of Hallelujah in the preexilic period, since the phrase does not occur in any early texts in the OT. Jewish tradition maintains that it was originally an ancient cultic shout that was not in any way connected with the name of God. Only later was the phrase appropriated for use in the cult. Although the simple verb hālal is used in the OT to refer to humans and objects (Gen. 12:15; 2 Sam. 14:25; Prov. 27:2; 31), in most of its occurrences, Yahweh is the object of praise.

Christian and Jewish liturgies preserve and use the phrase extensively.

Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HALLELUJAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)