Hallelujah! We use that word a lot. But what does it mean?
Like any other symbol, it can mean nothing at all if we over-use it. Some religious groups use it repititiously, like "om mane pade hum" or "hail mary, mother of god", expressing no conscious thought, and with no purpose except to seem pious, or to evoke emotions associated with piety. Our hymnal has several hymns with that kind of vain repetition.
But that's not the Biblical use. "Hallelujah" is a Hebrew word that was often simply transliterated by the early Greek-speaking Christians; a practice sometimes followed in our Bibles and hymnals. But it could also be translated as: "Glory to God" or "Praise Yahveh" or "Bless the Lord".
The Hebrews called the Psalms the "Book of Praises." Among all those songs of praise, some were distinguished as being particularly focused on praise. The last five psalms (number 146 through 150) each begin and end with the acclamation "Hallelujah", and were called "Hallel" (or "praise") psalms. Here are four songs based on those psalms. I'd like to focus on what is between the hallelujahs: the words that give those acclamations context; the thoughts that give them meaning.
Psalm 148 we know: it's represented by two fine versions in our hymnals--a bright exception to our general neglect of the psalms. Lowell Mason appropriately added a chorus of hallelujahs for this setting; it was originally written for Haydn's tune "Austria", which we use for Glorious things of Thee are spoken
Psalm 146 is a personal pledge to praise God, because he alone is worthy of praise: only he can give blessings, and execute justice. This metrical version by Isaac Watts is in some of our hymnals, and we've sung it once recently.
Psalm 147 expresses gratitude for God's blessings that make human society possible, including His support for the poor and despised and punishment for their oppressors. Each stanza repeats the acclamation in some English form, such as "praise the Lord." Don't miss the praise for God's providence in the weather and the seasons. This is a timely message. Recently, many ignorant reporters have been blathering about evidence of water on Mars as if nothing else were needed to support life life. What stupid nonsense: there are many other blessings we need in order to exist! And we ought to praise God for them all. This is a modern version by Timothy Dudley-Smith, probably the most distinguished hymnwriter of the late twentieth century. The tune is an early American tune: the harmony is challenging, and I'll ask the alto and tenor voices to sing lead on the first two verses.
Psalm 149 is a harder psalm for Christians to sing. Truly, when evil is punished, God is magnified: but we all too easily see only the evil of our enemies, overlook the violence and oppression committed by ourselves and our friends, and turn this psalm into partisan political rant. I haven't found a version in common use.
Psalm 150 again causes us difficulties. Its imagery is of a giant victory parade, in which the entire population turns out in a tumultuous procession, making joyful racket with everything handy. Charles Wesley's version brings out that picture and reinforces it by allusions to similar expressions in the New Testament: but with our neglect of the psalms, it would require some thought and study before it could be used. This more abstract (or bland) version is by Henry Francis Lyte. It emphasizes the earthly/heavenly temple image of the psalm and the theme of universal praise; the processional imagery has practically vanished, but (following many New Testament references) it is associated with the the work of Jesus -- reason enough for us to remember and celebrate.
[This version is most often sung to a Welsh hymn tune, which requires the choral Hallelujahs; tonight we'll use "Worgan", which is in our hymnal with Christ the Lord is Risen Today.]
And throughout this evening, let's remember how many reasons we have to praise God.
| These studies are created by members of the West Allen Church of Christ in Allen, Texas |