Recently, I was had one of those moments. You’ve had them too. That “light-bulb-over the-head” or “ears-popping-as-you-descend-from-high-altitude” moments of clarity or at the very least realization. I was recently leading in worship and noticed that several of the songs I had chosen carried the theme and the word “hallelujah”. (This often happens that the Holy Spirit knits something together that I am clueless about…more about that another time.)

Now, “hallelujah” is one of the most commonly used praise words in history. Today, we even hear the word used as an expression of joy outside the faith-culture. But most people – even if they once heard somewhere – do not know what they are saying when they let loose with a “Hallelujah!” In my recent experience, I was reminded that the word I say and sing often has lost some of its weight in my language.

The word “Hallelujah” is a Hebrew word meaning “praise be unto God”. (In the Greek New Testament, the word is “Alleluia.”) The Hebrew word “Hallelujah” is in fact made up of two Hebrew words: 'Hallel' and 'Jah'. The second of these words, 'Jah', means God as in the word 'Yahweh'. So this indicates that the praise is directed to God personally.

In the context of Hebrew culture as well as biblical Christianity, any praise personally directed to God is a thorough, consuming fact of life. The action related to the word must be lived as well as spoken. You can't say "praise be unto God" with one breath and have murderous thoughts about your neighbor in the next. “Hallelujah” indicates living adoration, with the sole object of that adoration being the One who invites, calls us, and empowers us – through Jesus – to an intimate relationship with Himself.

So, how do we express “hallelujah” in our worship? Scripture teaches that praise to God involves a song in our hearts and on our lips. A living “hallelujah” will probably include a dance in our step (see David’s dance in 2 Samuel 6:14), and a joy that may often lead to tears of contrition and as well as joy before the Father.

In Psalm 103, we are encouraged to bless the LORD with all that is within us. I love the way the psalmist calls upon his very soul to bless the LORD. And then, to refresh his motivation for blessing the LORD, the psalmist reminds himself of all the ways the Father has shown love for His children.

So today, if you have a hard time mustering a “hallelujah”, spend some time recalling all the Father has worked in your life. Spend some time feasting on His Word, being reminded of His character and His loving revelation of Himself to us.
You might just find yourself with a “hallelujah” on your lips…and let me know if you dance!