Hallelujah in Hebrew |
- The first part, hallelu, is the second-person imperative masculine plural form of the Hebrew verb hallal. However, "hallelujah" means more than simply "praise Jah" or "praise Yah" (shortened version of God’s name - Yhwh), as the word hallel in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song, to boast in God.
- The term is used 24 times in the Hebrew Bible (mainly in the book of Psalms as "praise ye the Lord", e.g. 111–117, 145–150, where it starts and ends a number of Psalms) and 4 times in Greek transliteration as "alleluia" in the Book of Revelation (e.g. 19:1,3,4 and 6). In the Hebrew Bible hallelujah is actually a two-word phrase, not one word and it is a command, not a greeting (as it is often used in the church of today).
Hallelujah can't possibly be the highest praise. Why? Because the seraphim surrounding the throne of GOD cry out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3) Would not the throne of GOD require the highest of praises to be declared?
So, if hallelujah is not the highest praise, what is? I say it is simply this; to love GOD and one another. Jesus commanded us to love seven times.
- "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment." (Mark 12:30)
- "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
- "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbors thyself." (Luke 10:27)
- "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)
- "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
- "This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17).
- "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1 John 4:7)
The word hallelujah is a beautiful Hebraic command that morphed into a modern day church greeting. If you want to greet each other say, "hello", "hi", hug or you can go REAL biblical and "greet each other with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16, 2 Corinthians 13:12). It's really not that deep, but if you want to give GOD the highest praise, obey HIS commandments...to love.