Are You Obeying Hallelujah? #WordWedneday

I found a treasure the other day. Come dig deep with me to live fully. I found it while reading this Psalm.

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in His sanctuary

praise him in His mighty

heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;

Praise Him for His surpassing

greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the

trumpet

praise Him with the harp and

lyre,

praise Him with tambourine and

dancing,

praise Him with the strings and

flute,

praise Him with the clash of

cymbals

Let everything that has breath

praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

In tiny print under this Psalm, my Bible commentary explained that “Praise the Lord,” was translated from the Hebrew word Hallelu Yah!

This word is really interesting.

Hallelu  comes from the root word Halal which means to “boast, praise, celebrate, and glorify.” (Nothing new, right?)

Yah is short for Yahweh!  I think that is so cool. This came up in our Bite of Bread broadcast on Monday of this week. (I’m on Facebook now, and it’s super easy to join our fellowship.) Throughout the Old Testament the writers would refer to God as Yah. It’s endearing to me though that may not have been the intention.

When these two words are put together, Hallelu Yah is an imperative word. Did you learn about “imperative” sentences in 8th grade English? An imperative sentence looks like this:

“Take the trash out!”

Imperatives are commands, not suggestions. Did you yell any imperatives this morning as your kids got ready for school? If you did, if you intended them to do what you were commanding, then you will understand that Hallelu Yah is not a suggestion either.

Hallelu Yah is not just a beautiful word. It has intent and direction. This command is not to be taken lightly or done only when we feel like it.

Something in me stirs with joy! I know, I’m a word-nerd, but the richness of the Hebrew language, and its deep meaning, gives me even more appreciation for the One who orchestrated these words .

Hallelu Yah! Everyday. All day. Whether we feel like or not.

Let everything that has breath Hallelu Yah!

Digging Deep,

Andy