The 7 Hebrew Words for Praise
A few years ago I discovered every time we read the Old Testament and come across the word, "praise", we are more than likely reading one of seven various words the Hebrew language uses to describe the demonstrative activity of giving honor, worth, and glory to God.
Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead have a small but potent book devoted to exploring these seven words called, "Holy Roar." If you're a Worship Pastor, I couldn't recommend it enough.
During a worship night in 2022, we organized the setlist around these seven words in an effort to teach our congregation about these Biblical expressions. It was an unforgettable moment for our church.
We weren't the most expressive church in the world. It's a smaller, mostly white, non-denominational church that has leaned more traditional than modern for the better part of 50 years.
So let's just say most of the congregation is perfectly content with their arms by their sides. But teaching them the rich history of the Biblical expressions of praise gave them the permission and understanding they needed to begin to open up their hearts...and their hands.
Considering finding a time to teach these to your church.
Yâdâh | Extend hands, throw a stone, shoot an arrow.
What does throwing a stone look like? Fist pumping! Yep, it's ok to fist pump in worship for Jesus. And it's equally ok to simply raise them. In fact, raising hands was the normal posture for prayer for the Hebrew people.
Psalm 44:8
In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise (yâdâh) your name forever.
Shâbach | To address in a loud tone. To shout. To commend, glory, and triumph.
My church was perfectly happy singing "Shout To The Lord" back in the day...but they never actually shouted. Let's be clear, God is ok with vibrant enthusiasm. In fact, enthusiasm is a wonderful tool for evangelism.
Psalm 145:4
One generation shall praise (shâbach) your works to another.
Tôwdâh | An extension of the hand. Thanksgiving for things not yet received. A sacrifice of praise.
Psalm 56:11-12
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?...I will render praises (tôwdâh) to you.
This was written by David after he was seized by the Philistines at Gath. David praised God before his deliverance. This was a sacrifice of praise—praise given in trust and anticipation of deliverance that he had not yet received.
Tehillâh | A song of praise. A new song. A spontaneous song.
Psalm 22:3 | NKJV
But you are holy, enthroned in the praises (tehillâh) of Israel.
These are personal stories turned into songs of praise. They come out of the overflow of the heart of a worshiper who spontaneously combusts with song. There is absolutely a Biblical place for the spontaneous in worship. Of course any corporate offering needs to be reviewed and, if need be, corrected for Biblical/theological accuracy, but our teams and churches can be encouraged to express themselves in this way.
Bârak | To kneel. To salute. To thank.
Psalm 103:1
Praise (bârak) the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being praise his holy name.
In the original context, this is a bowing low while also keeping your eyes transfixed on the King. It's gazing in awe while simultaneously bowing in reverence. You can't look away from God's beauty but can't help but kneeling at His power.
Zâmar | To make music. To celebrate in song and music. To touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument.
Psalm 144:9 | NKJV
I will sing a new song to You, O God;
On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises (zâmar) to You.
"Music is more powerful than we even understand. It can soften our hearts, soothe our troubled souls. It opens the door to the spiritual world. It paves the road for the Spirit's coming."
Holy Roar
Hâlal | To boast, to rave, to shine, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish.
Psalm 149:3
Let them praise (hâlal) his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
This is the word we get "hallelujah" from. It implies laying aside your inhibitions and killing your self-consciousness (think king David in his underwear). The root word is used to describe a harvest festival where people are dancing on grapes, expressing their joy of plenty, dying the hems of their robes purple.