Church Jargon: What Does That Mean?: Devotions From Time Of GraceMuestra

Hallelujah

Thanks to the magnificent Baroque composer George Frideric Händel and his famous chorus, all the world has heard the word "hallelujah." Rufus Wainwright and Bruno Mars earnestly sing the word in their very secular songs. It is unfortunately also perceived and sometimes ridiculed as Christian jargon. To make fun of evangelical Christians, all you have to do is adopt a slightly Southern accent, slap your thigh, and yelp “HăllaLOOyah!”

It is, in fact, a magnificent word of praise, sent heavenward for many thousands of years. "Hallel" is a Hebrew imperative commanding praise, "Hallelu" makes it plural so that everybody is included, and "Jah" is the abbreviation of "Jahveh," God’s personal and proper name in the Old Testament. It is found throughout the psalms, and the throne scenes in Revelation chapter 19 echo the cry.

Praising God is one of the main reasons for which you were created. It is like breathing for a Christian: “Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Psalm 147:1) Praise acknowledges our smallness and his bigness; praise gives tribute to the brilliant Designer and Engineer of the universe; praise shows Christ that you appreciate his extremely expensive Calvary gift, all the more precious because it’s free; praise shows the Spirit that though you can’t see him, you know he’s at work in your world.

When you say it, mean it.