Work Study: Hallelujah

“Praise (hallelujah) the Lord! Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Psalm 146:1-2)

Hallelujah is formed from halal (to shine, to praise, to boast, to celebrate) and Yah (the intimate name for God). Hallelujah is not merely a shout of joy. It is a declaration of God’s nearness and goodness, spoken from the heart. It is celebrating God’s goodness that is worth noticing, naming, and lifting up.

The word “Hallelujah” is predominantly found in the book of Psalms. The word also appears in Ezra and Nehemiah, where it is used to praise God for His deliverance and restoration of His people. In total, the term “Hallelujah” appears 24 times in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, the word “Hallelujah” is mentioned in Revelation 19:1-6 to celebrate the defeat of evil and the establishment of God’s kingdom. We say, “Hallelujah” to give God the highest praise.

Spiritual Invitation

Let your praise today be less about volume and more about awareness. Notice the small mercies: a kind word, a pleasant smile, and your heart beat. Let gratitude rise naturally, like the breath you breathe.

Rev. Margaret Minnicks

“Hallelujah!”