‘Hallelujah’ is one of those foreign words which has been adopted into the English language and used in all kinds of pieces of music (from the triumphant ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to the very popular Leonard Cohen song ‘Hallelujah’). It means ‘praise the Lord’, from the Hebrew word ‘hallel’ (praise) and ‘yah’ (the shortened form of Yahweh, God’s most holy name.) It’s also the key word in the final five psalms in the Psalter, often known as the ‘Hallelujah’ psalms or the ‘Final Hallel.’
As we move towards the end of our studies on the book of Psalms, it’s appropriate that we look at this word in more detail and at the subject of praise, for (according to Claus Westermann), ‘praise is the last word of faith.’ The psalms are arranged into 5 books and each book concludes with praise (often known as a ‘doxology.’) In many ways, the Psalms show us the whole of life’s journey, from obedience to praise, ‘through the unmapped back countries of pain, doubt, and trouble.’ (Eugene Peterson, ‘Answering God’, P 121) These last five psalms – all of which begin and end with the word ‘Hallelujah’ – help us to understand that there is a glorious future awaiting us all in God (see also Rev 19:1, 4, 6). Psalm 145 lists many reasons for praise (connected with both God’s character – He is gracious, compassionate, forgiving, faithful, slow to anger, rich in love – and with His actions – which are wonderful, awesome and great) and each of the remaining five psalms looks at different aspects of praise.
Ultimately, praising the Lord is both pleasant and fitting (Ps 147:1) and is something which we must do individually (‘praise the Lord, my soul’ Ps 146:1b) and corporately. Praising God restores our perspective, reminding us of His greatness and our humility, and leads us to a place of spiritual victory (see Ps 149:6-9).