Meaning of Hallelujah

By Nick Bibile

Many of us use the word Hallelujah but do we know what it really means? The word Hallelujah comes with two Hebrew words.

Halal - means Praise

Yah - shortened word for the name of God - YHWH (LORD)

It literally means. ‘Praise ye Yah

You don’t find the word Hallelujah in the Old Testament but the meaning of it is there, (Praise the LORD) The Amplified Bible Classic edition shows the following.

Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Generally Hallelujah is found in the beginning or end of Psalms suggesting it was pretty normal to praise God in the temple worship. Also the word Hallelujah means inviting the congregation to praise God.

In the New Testament the word Hallelujah is related to God’s judgment and His glory.

Revelation 19:1-3

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

2

    for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 Once more they cried out,

“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”