הַלְּלוּ יָהּ 

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah is a combination of two Hebrew words:  

“Hallelu” (הַלְּלוּ) which means “praise ye” or “praise”
“Yah” (יָהּ) is a shortened form of YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah in modern English), which is a name for God.

The phrase “hallelujah” only appears in the Old Testament Book of Psalms and in the New Testament book of Revelation, chapter 19.

I didn’t realize how limited the biblical use of the word was until I was studying Revelation 19 for my weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) online meeting. As I read the chapter I paid no special attention to the word until I learned its use was so uncommon in the Bible. Here is one of the passages where it is used…

‘Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” ‘ Revelation 19:6-9

Its use in Psalms has been translated from hallelujah to praise the Lord in most translations. For example,

“Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.” Psalms 112:1, New Living Translation

I’m curious about why it doesn’t appear in more biblical texts. I can imagine that John’s heavenly vision compelled him to join in the heavenly praise. I can also image that David, while tending sheep and meditating on God, was blessed with heavenly glimpses that enabled him to write such beautiful praises to God.

When I read the passage from Revelation above I was encouraged and humbled as I imagined the scene described. Chapter 19 comes after some very dark and discouraging predictions that are coming very soon (in my opinion). However, even in the prophesied judgements of God, there is opportunity for every person to turn to Christ. But sadly, many do not, not matter how dire life on earth gets. ‘They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.’ Revelation 16:9

This week my BSF group is in Revelation 20 where I see that the evil one is finally and permanently disposed of. All I can say about that is …

Hallelujah!