'Hallelujah' is a Hebrew word meaning “praise the LORD” (or “praise Yah,” a short form of God's name). It's the great biblical shout of worship, filling the Psalms and echoing through heaven's praise in Revelation 19.
Praise the LORD
Hallelujah combines two Hebrew words: hallal (to praise) and Yah (a shortened form of the divine name). It's not so much a statement as a command and a shout — 'Praise the LORD!' The Psalms are full of it.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Heaven's song
The word crosses from Hebrew into every language nearly unchanged. In Revelation, John hears heaven itself thundering 'Alleluia' as God reigns. Hallelujah is the everlasting language of worship, on earth and in heaven.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens.
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Quick answers
- What's the difference between hallelujah and alleluia?
- None in meaning — 'alleluia' is simply the Greek/Latin spelling of the Hebrew 'hallelujah.' Both mean 'praise the LORD.'
- Where does hallelujah appear in the Bible?
- Especially in the Psalms (often as 'Praise ye the LORD'), and famously in Revelation 19, where heaven erupts in 'Alleluia' at God's reign.
- Why do Christians say hallelujah?
- As a spontaneous expression of praise and joy in God — a way of obeying the Psalms' call to praise the LORD with all that is within us.
