What Is the Meaning of the Word Hallelujah?

"Hallelujah" is a profound liturgical expression derived from Hebrew, typically translated into English as “praise the Lord.” This expression, deeply embedded in the fabric of Jewish worship, serves as a compelling invitation and exclamation that directs the congregation’s attention and intention toward the worship and veneration of God. It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in several psalms, usually at the beginning or end of the psalm or in both places.

Personally, Hallelujah—the word itself—has made me weep. Perhaps others have wept at it, too. Many biblical books can induce tears, but for me, Psalms, in particular, merge elements of poem, song, and glorification—tearfully! And Hallelujah is used frequently in Psalms. Today, the word is famous as both the title and the theme of poet and songwriter Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece Hallelujah, which many Christians and even non-Christians love.

A joy of our Christian lives is our invitation to praise the Lord. We love to do this anytime and in any number of ways. One of the ways we praise Him is by using the word Hallelujah! Almost every English-speaking Christian knows how to pronounce that word, though the word is not English, but some Christians may not know the nuances of meaning that the word can evoke. Below, we will explore the nuances to the meaning of the word Hallelujah, including its etymology, Biblical references, theological significance, usage in worship over time, and cultural usage.

Hallelujah Etymology 

Although Hallelujah is written as one word, its Hebrew original comes from two words, which (both the words and the concepts) have been merged into one. The first half of the word, from the verb hillel, means to praise, and it is used hundreds of times in the Bible. Praise what? Praise “jah.” “Jah” is a shortened form of the 4-letter Hebrew name for the Lord, YHWH, which is usually pronounced Yahweh. Incidentally, there is a simple form of that same word, spelled halal, that suggests an alternate meaning—to boast. Halal is only used a few times in the Bible. 

What does Hallelujah mean, and Why is it significant?  

A simple translation of Hallelujah is “Praise the Lord.” However, things related to biblical language are sometimes more puzzling than they appear to be on the surface. Let’s conclude that the first half of the word is hillel, and, therefore, it refers to praising (because that is the most frequent biblical usage). Praising is almost always directed toward the Lord. Sometimes Hebrew authors use it to refer to humans.

For example, Genesis 12:15 uses the hillel form with regard to Sarai, when she is praised to Pharaoh and thereby brought into his palace. Similarly, Proverbs 28:4 uses the hillel form when it states that those who forsake the law praise the wicked.

The words of the Bible constitute the Lord’s inerrant message to us humans, but translation between human languages can confuse the message. What are we to infer by the praise sense of the word being applied almost entirely to the Lord, but sometimes instead to a beautiful woman and also to admirers of the wicked? Sarai was a beautiful woman, but she was not Abram’s sister—that was a lie. To admire the wicked is willingly to ally with evil doers. Does God deliberately use hillel in these contrasting applications of praise for Himself (good) against lies and admiration of evil (bad) for the shock value? I don’t know.

Suppose instead we assert that the intended meaning is boast, not praise. “Boast of the Lord.” Boasting is a different act from praising, yet each injunction can be supported by the Hebrew text. I don’t know for sure about this either. What I do know is that God gave us language to glorify Him. What I also know is that we complicate pure language by adding communication in the form of facial expressions, gestures, and spoken tones.

In the scriptural context, combining these elements into "hallelujah" does more than call upon God; it acts as a theological statement that recognizes and proclaims God's ultimate power and perpetual presence. It acknowledges His deeds, His nature, and His name's sanctity, which are central to worship in both personal and communal settings.

Why It's Important to do a Biblical Word Analysis

The Bible is infallible. Perhaps our human intellect does not have the standing to fully and completely understand the Lord’s inerrant word—but still we must try. In the Bible, the greatest majority of uses of the word Hallelujah occur in the Psalms. Hallelujah sometimes appears at the beginning of a psalm, sometimes at its end, and sometimes at both—sometimes the word is internal within the psalm.

Psalms are poems. The Psalmist (usually David, scribing for the Lord) uses Hallelujah and its cadence and subtleties to produce the most powerful effect upon us when a psalm/poem is sung or read. The most powerful effect is the glorification of the Lord.  

The Lord must be glorified, for that is our calling as humans and sinners—and as believers. Given, then, that the intent of the word Hallelujah is to glorify, its referent must include both the low as well as the high, since the actions of the Lord are perceived by us both as bad and as good.

Death, for example, is generally perceived by us as bad. However, death is a provision of the Lord and, as such, it belongs to the Lord and is, therefore, to be praised. Hallelujah is most commonly experienced as a liturgical command, as a prelude to something wonderful (and that is deliberate with regard to the word), but it should also be accepted in melancholy mode, almost indeed as a dirge.

Say Hallelujah’s four English syllables slowly, solemnly, with prayerful contemplation. Say them again. Yours has been the whole experience of the work of the Lord—Gloria in Excelsis Deo—which is joyful but, at once, is also sober, dignified, reverential, pious. What a word! 

Theological Significance

In Christian worship, the word "hallelujah" deeply expresses joy, victory, and reverence. It's a key part of how believers react to God's actions and nature. This powerful word captures a variety of feelings and spiritual truths, showing just how much God's strength and kindness affect the lives of those who follow Him. Let's take a look at the different meaning of Hallelujah in worship.

Symbol of Joy

In Christian tradition, "hallelujah" is a spontaneous exclamation of joy that erupts from believers' hearts as they recognize and reflect upon the goodness and enduring grace of God. This joy is not superficial or fleeting; it is profound, rooted in the soul's deep connection to the divine, and is often experienced during moments of communal worship, personal prayer, and meditative Scripture reading. The Psalms, in particular, showcase this joy as they repeatedly call the congregation to "praise the Lord" with gladness and songs of joy, emphasizing that worship is a celebration of God's ongoing presence and benevolence.

Emblem of Triumph

The triumph embodied in "hallelujah" is both a celebration of God’s historic victories and a prophetic declaration of His ultimate dominion over all creation. In biblical narratives, such as the exodus from Egypt and the victories of the Israelites in the Promised Land, "hallelujah" serves as a declaration of God's sovereign power over enemies and adverse circumstances. In the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation, "hallelujah" is proclaimed in the context of God’s final victory over evil, where the heavenly hosts and the assembly of believers triumphantly acclaim God's justice and righteousness. This prophetic and eschatological aspect of "hallelujah" instills hope and courage in believers, affirming that God will ultimately establish His kingdom and that all things will be put under His feet.

Expression of Worship

Worship, in its essence, is an act of giving God the glory due His name, acknowledging His supremacy, and submitting to His divine will. "Hallelujah" encapsulates this essence, directing all honor and reverence towards God. It is often used in moments of deep communal and personal worship, where the focus shifts from the individual to the divine, allowing worshippers to transcend their immediate circumstances and enter into a space of spiritual intimacy with God. The term not only praises God for what He has done but also worships Him for who He is—His attributes of holiness, justice, mercy, and love.

Reflection of God’s Power and Mercy

The dual acknowledgment of God's power and mercy through "hallelujah" highlights the comprehensive nature of God's character. His power is evident in His acts of creation, judgment, and miraculous intervention, while His mercy is revealed in His dealings with humanity, especially in the provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. The interplay of these attributes assures believers of both God's absolute authority and His unfathomable kindness, inspiring a response of awe, gratitude, and devout worship.

Cultural Influence

The term "hallelujah" has transcended its biblical origins to become a significant cultural symbol across various forms of art and music, illustrating the profound impact of this deeply spiritual term on wider society.

One of the most famous musical uses of "hallelujah" is in George Frideric Handel's "Messiah," particularly in the "Hallelujah Chorus." In this piece, the chorus powerfully repeats the word to create a climactic moment of praise and celebration. The context in Handel's oratorio aligns closely with its biblical usage, reflecting divine majesty and the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus. This oratorio, especially the "Hallelujah Chorus," is traditionally performed during Christmas and Easter, tying it closely to Christian celebrations and worship.

On a different note, Leonard Cohen’s song "Hallelujah" explores more complex emotional and spiritual themes. While Cohen’s lyrics touch on biblical stories, such as those of David and Samson, his "hallelujah" is less a straightforward expression of worship and more an exploration of personal struggle, love, loss, and redemption. Cohen's use of "hallelujah" resonates with a wide audience by conveying a sense of brokenness and the human search for grace, illustrating the word's adaptability and depth outside traditional religious contexts. Listen to this powerful song below:

Both Handel’s and Cohen’s uses of "hallelujah" showcase the word's versatility and profound resonance, whether as an expression of direct religious worship or a reflection of broader, more universal spiritual and emotional themes.

A Personal Story of a Beautiful Hallelujah

It was late morning on the eve of Christmas Eve. I called my wife at the church. Since she and I came to Christ six years before, from Judaism, she had been our pastor’s secretary. I was checking in, concerned about errands I needed to finish while I was out on the road. We spoke briefly about the errands.

Then I asked her when she planned to come home from the church. Uncharacteristically, she did not know. Usually, she knows. Usually, she knows because she knows what tasks she must finish. Usually, she responds with a time—an hour, two hours.

But this time, she was vague. It was odd of her—my wife is not a vague person, about time or about anything else. “I don’t know,” is what she said, and she said it with a puzzled intonation, as though she wondered why she did not know and yet she said it anyway. I was puzzled, too, when I hung up.

I thought perhaps I should call her back, to ask if she were all right. I thought perhaps I should question her tone of puzzlement, which suggested she did not feel in charge of her time that afternoon. But I did not call her back. I had errands to do.

Here’s what I learned later. After I hung up, an hour or two passed at the church. My wife was alone. She finished tasks. There is always a task to finish on a secretary’s desk. But, puzzlingly, she did not formulate a plan for the finishing of her tasks and for her getting home.

Then the church’s door opened and a man entered whom my wife had never seen. The man introduced himself and asked if the pastor was in. The pastor was not in.  

The man seemed puzzled by the circumstance that the pastor was not at the church. “But God told me I must come to see him now.”  

“Well, would you like me to make an appointment for you, for later?”

“But God told me I must come to see him now.”

This is how my wife reported the conversation to me—after all, the man was puzzled himself. He had done what God had told him to do. Now, it was the pastor’s turn.

The pastor had left the church not long before, with several plans in his mind. He had not been certain which of the plans he would undertake. He would let my wife know which plan he would undertake, he said, when he knew himself.

My wife dialed the phone. The pastor answered. 

“There’s a man here,” she said, and she gave his name. “He says he needs to see you. I wasn’t certain about your plan.”

“Well, I haven’t selected my plan yet. I don’t know why. Right now, I’m eating lunch.” The pastor thought for a moment. “Can he wait ten minutes?”

My wife looked at the man. “Can you wait ten minutes?”

“Yes.”

She turned back to the phone. “He can wait. See you in ten.”

In ten minutes, the pastor arrived at the church. He and the man went into the pastor’s office. Two hours later, the man accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord, and his name was written in Glory.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,  Hallelujah,  Hallelujah

Late that same night, on the eve of Christmas Eve, my wife and I relaxed on our couch. Our house was aromatic with baking gift breads. Our Christmas tree was lit with white bulbs, wax candles burned among our mantel display of spruce boughs and red balls, and twinkling candles were alight in our windows so that, as my mother told me when I was a child, regarding Christian custom, if the Christ Child should need a place to lie down, He would know by our candles that He would be welcome here.

My wife had explained to me the odd events of that afternoon—the man puzzled why the pastor should not be at his office when God had indicated that he would be, my wife puzzled about her inability to manage a time to return to our house so that she was available just at the right moment to make that telephone call to our pastor, our pastor puzzled that he had not selected among his plans for the afternoon so that he was, at the necessary time for the man, just eating lunch.

We listened to Susan Boyle sing Hallelujah. The solemn words filled the room. We are busy people, she and I, with several jobs between us—retirees who still work hard, and I had a new book coming out, a memoir recounting my life as the son of a poet father—a father whose poetry molded my relationship with our Father.

Relaxing on our couch, weary after days and days of heavy work for both of us, nearing the completion of our Advent anticipation of a miracle—humbly trying to experience our anticipation with patience—the beauty of the season and of Christ’s light overthrew me.

I wept. I wept for Cohen’s spare, elegiac poetry. I wept for Boyle’s easy voice. I wept for the still, calm beauty of our decorated home. I wept for giving gift bread to our friends, bread which my wife had created.

But mostly I wept that, on the eve of Christmas Eve, the Lord Himself had used my wife and our pastor for His own purpose, which was to bring another soul to salvation—that godly using, which had puzzled each of them, as the planning of their day was set aside.   

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Conclusion

"Hallelujah" holds a cherished place within the Christian faith, serving as a profound expression of joy, worship, and reverence. Its use throughout the Bible and in Christian liturgy underscores a powerful connection to the divine, celebrating God's mighty acts and enduring mercy. The beauty of "hallelujah" lies in its ability to encapsulate deep theological truths and spiritual emotions, offering believers a way to voice their praise and gratitude towards God in a single, resonant word. May you be encouraged and inspired your faith today to lift a shout of HALLELUJAH to God.

Dr. Dikkon Eberhart and his wife Channa live in the Blue Ridge area of SW Virginia. They have four grown children and five grandchildren, who keep them busy. Eberhart is the author of the popular memoir The Time Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and I Heard the Greatest Story Ever Told (Tyndale House Publishers). Eberhart writes memoirs to assist those who long to be closer to God. Meet him at his blog and website www.dikkoneberhart.com. Author image: ©Alexander Rose Photography, LLC

Main image credit: ©Unsplash/SharonMcCutcheon