It’s one of the holiest of all words, and one that we can never say enough. Holy because it is a word that drives our minds, hearts, and souls to honor the One True Almighty and Everlasting God.
When we say "Hallelujah," we are not expressing relief, as some might when their team wins the big game. Nor are we using it in thankfulness for some minor event–like finding $20 that had fallen into the couch. By no means! "Hallelujah" is reserved for our expression of faith, gratitude, wonder, and praise of the One who created and sustains the world–and who loved us so much He sent His son to die for our sins against Him.
What Is the Meaning of the Word ‘Hallelujah’?
If you ask Merriam Webster, hallelujah is a word “used to express praise, joy, or thanks.” Unfortunately, they are misleading anyone who looks to them for the truth. Hallelujah, because of the words that make up this word, can only mean one thing: “Praise the Lord.”
For thousands of years, Jews and Christians have used the word "hallelujah" to express that our Heavenly Father is worthy of all our adoration. Praise puts us in our rightful place as created beings who owe everything to God. Every day, believers should have hallelujah in their hearts, if not on their lips.
What Is the Hebrew Origin of the Word 'Hallelujah'?
In Hebrew, the word we derive our song of praise from is "Halleluyah," the root word of which is "halal," meaning "to praise or extol the greatness of someone," combined with "Yah," which is a shortened form of God's name, Yahweh. That gives us a clue that the word was first used in the Old Testament when the personal name of God was first known (abbreviated YHWH out of reverence for God’s name).
Though we see the phrase "praise the Lord" many times in the Bible, going back to Genesis, we find fewer references to hallelujah because Bible translators often have changed it to say "Praise the Lord." Most scholars agree that the first time "Hallelujah" is mentioned is in Psalm 104:35:
“But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Hallelujah, O my soul. Hallelujah.”
What other occasions does the Bible use the exhortation ‘Hallelujah’?
Where Is the Word "Hallelujah" Found in the Bible?
Chabad.org confirms that the Hebrew Old Testament (the Tanakh) shows that the first use of the word "Hallelujah" is found in the Psalms. It is used only 24 times in the Tanakh, and only in the psalms (actually only the final third of the psalms). Most notably, Psalms 146-150 each begin and end with "Hallelujah." These psalms are referred to as the “final Hallel” and emphasize praising God for all He has done, and trusting Him above any human leader.
In his commentary on Psalm 104, Matthew Henry writes, “This is the first time that we meet with Hallelujah; and it comes in here upon occasion of the destruction of the wicked; and the last time we meet with it is upon a similar occasion. When the New-Testament Babylon is consumed, this is the burden of the song, Hallelujah, Rev 19 1, 3, 4, 6.”
Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, and 6 read:
“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.”
“And again they shouted: ‘Hallelujah’ The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever [the great prostitute].”
“The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: ‘Amen, Hallelujah.'"
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”
As believers, it’s so exciting to think that we will join with the Psalm writers and the “great multitude in heaven” who will be praising God with adulation meant just for Him. How can we worship him similarly here and now?
How Is "Hallelujah" Used in Worship and Music?
I think it’s helpful to remind ourselves that there are many forms of worship, not just singing. Worship can include practices like prayer, reading Scripture, and participating in church services. In addition, worship can be expressed through living like Christ by loving others, serving people in need, obeying God, or simply giving Him praise when we think of how great our God is. The Apostle Paul also mentions in Romans 12:1 that we should present our bodies as a "living sacrifice," which is a spiritual act of worship.
When it comes to music, "Hallelujah" can be found in hymns old and new. Considering many of the psalms were written to be sung, it’s powerful to sing one back to God in worship. Especially a psalm like 146 that says at the beginning, “Hallelujah…I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” "Hallelujah" can elevate the song to a moment of individual or corporate praise unlike any other.
Many Christians and non-Christians know of other ways that Hallelujah has been used in both sacred and secular music. In George Friedrich Handel’s oratorio “Messiah,” he wrote what has become a very famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” which includes refrains such as “For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!” It’s one of the most famous and frequently performed pieces of classical music–and it is all about praising God. Contemporary Christian and gospel music (and other forms of music that express worship) speak of Hallelujah. A few recent ones include “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music, “A Thousand Hallelujahs” by Brooke Ligertwood, “Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)" by We The Kingdom, and most recently “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake.
At the other end of the spectrum is Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that he wrote in 1984 and has been covered by many other secular artists since. While it includes biblical elements, and biblical themes like love and faith, Cohen did not write it in praise of God. He merely co-opted the word "Hallelujah" for the chorus.
What Is the Difference Between "Hallelujah" and "Alleluia"?
"Hallelujah" and "Alleluia" both mean "Praise the Lord," and therefore can be used interchangeably. The difference is where you might see either word. Catholic and Orthodox churches use "Alleluia" because this spelling was used in the Latin Vulgate, a fourth-century translation of the Bible into Latin. Because "Hallelujah" is found in the King James version of the Bible, Protestant churches are more likely to use this. When the King James Bible was written, the translators chose the form that more closely coincided with the Hebrew ‘Hallelu’ and ‘Yah’.
The two components of the word "Hallelujah’ (Hallelu and Yah) give the word its power. First, when you praise, you are not just commending someone. You pour out all of your love, gratitude, and hope to your King, your Redeemer, your One True Love–recognizing all that God is and all that God has done and will do.
It’s a great practice to remind ourselves of the names of God when we are praising Him. Each name tells of a different attribute of God which helps us to know Him better. In her article, “10 Names of God and What They Mean”, Allyson Holland gives a great selection of names to choose from. For instance, we can sing "Hallelujah" to Elohim, our “Creator God,” thanking Him for creating us and the world around us. Or Elohim Chayim, the “Living God” who is alive and active in our lives in the form of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can never exhaust the means or the reasons for our Hallelujahs.
Conclusion
Though the word "Hallelujah" appears in only two books of the Bible, the spirit of praise is woven throughout the entire Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation, we hear voices lifted in praise to the Lord, reminding us that worship should be part of all our communication with Him—whether we’re expressing gratitude for blessings or crying out in times of trial. This also calls us to treat the word "Hallelujah" with reverence, reserving it for what truly honors the Lord rather than saying it casually. Whether we speak the original Hebrew or say “praise the Lord” in English, we are offering powerful expressions of worship, gratitude, and awe—each one fully deserved by a God whose greatness exceeds our imagination. Hallelujah!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Theerapong28
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
