Seven Ways to Offer Praise

by Pastor Mitch Horton | November 2003

There has been a restoration of praise and worship in our day that parallels the increase in God's manifest Presence prophesied by the prophet Isaiah.

We read in Acts 15:16-17, "After this, I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; (17) So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does all these things. The tabernacle of David was characterized by free and spontaneous praise and worship.

We also read in Isaiah 60:1-2, "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. (2) For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you! The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."

These verses reveal a move of the Holy Spirit in the days just before Jesus' return that brings multitudes to Jesus through the manifested Presence of God in believers' lives! And God's Presence manifests when we praise Him (See Psalm 22:3)! "This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). I believe this verse is speaking of our day! We are called to "proclaim the praises of Him who has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light!" (1 Peter 2:9).

Philippians 3:3 (Amplified) reveals that we worship God "in spirit and by the Spirit of God!" Jesus told us in John 4:24 that the Father is seeking those who are willing to worship "in Spirit and in truth!" That simply means we are to worship as prompted by the Holy Spirit and according to the Word of God!

There are seven Hebrews words in the Old Testament that are translated "praise," and these seven words reveal to us the biblical ways that the Holy Spirit will lead us in our praise and worship of our Father God! As you read about them, make a decision to incorporate them into your life of intimacy with the Lord.

The first word is Yadah, and it means to worship with the extended hand. The word YAD is the Hebrew word for hand, and is also used for the claw of an eagle. It speaks of grasping something. This is worship with your hands raised up receiving from the Lord! It is found 114 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 28:7; 42:5; 52:9; 63:4).

The second word is Towdah and is similar to the first word. This is worship with the extended hand, palms up, thanking God in adoration and worship for His provisions in life. This is the Hebrew word for thanksgiving. This is where we offer the sacrifice of praise as we stand in faith, even when it looks like the promises of God are not working! It's found 32 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 42:4; 50:14; 50:23; Jeremiah 17:26; 33:11).

The third Hebrew word for praise is Halal, and it means to shine, to boast, to show, to rave, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish! The word Hallelujah comes from this word. This is where you just "go nuts" worshipping and praising your wonderful Lord. You're so filled with Him that your whole body has to be used to express your heart toward God! This could be expressed simply by dancing before the Lord heartily as David did when the Ark of God was brought back into Jerusalem! So the next time you go to a church, and the people are LOUD, EXCITED, and JOYOUSLY DANCING, just be aware that you're experiencing first hand what Hallelujah is all about. Don't despise them! Join them! It's the "in Spirit and in truth" thing to do! Hallal is used 165 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 22:22; 34:2; 35:18; 63:5; 69:30; Psalm 102:18).

The fourth Hebrew word for praise is Barak, and means to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration, to bow down in a worshipful attitude, to bless God expecting to receive something. This word is often translated bless and is used 330 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 28:6; 66:20; 72:15; 100:4; 95:6). Kneeling before God is a wonderful way to express your heart to Him.

The fifth Word for praise is Shabach, and means to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph, to glory, to shout! Far from commanding quietness only, the scriptures encourage outward expressions that reveal the heart. Shouting your praise with a loud voice will call your spirit to attention, and hinder the hosts of hell! This word is used 11 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 63:3; Psalm 47:1; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 117:1; Psalm 145:4).

The sixth word for praise is Zamar, and means to touch the strings. This is worship with all kinds of musical instruments. I was shocked when I went into a church for the first time and saw drums, guitars, bass, trumpets, and synthesizers. I thought the only instruments allowed in church were a piano and an organ! My surprise turned to delight as a new found freedom to express my heart's devotion absorbed me during the praise portion of the service! This word is found 45 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 21:13; 57:7; 108:1; 150).

The final and seventh word for praise found in the Old Testament is the word Tehillah, and means to sing, to laud. It is the singing of Halal! This is my favorite Hebrew word for praise. This is where you sing spontaneous songs of praise to the Lord. These are songs that the Holy Spirit gives you at the moment while you are engrossed in worshipping and praising your Father! This word is found 57 times in the Old Testament (See Psalm 22:3; 2 Chronicles 20:22; Psalm 34:1; 35:28; 71:8; 100:4).

Tehillah is mentioned in the New Testament as psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18). Tehillah praise is mention by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14: 14-15, as he encourages believers to pray and sing both with the spirit (in other tongues) and with the understanding. Time spent singing in tongues or in the spirit is time spent in Tehillah praise. This is the praise mentioned in Psalm 22:3 that accompanies God enthroning Himself in the very atmosphere! God actually inhabits our Tehillah praise!

In God's Presence is fullness of joy, pleasures forevermore, strength, and provision for every need in human life. Make a decision today to practice Yadah, Towdah, Halal, Barak, Shabach, Zamar, and Tehillah praise daily. Your life will never be the same!