The Hebrew language has seven words that we translate as “praise.” The most common word is “HALAL/

Hâlal” and is pronounced “haw-lal”. It means to be clear (of color), shine, rave, make a show, boast, be

clamorously foolish, rave, and celebrate.*

It is to celebrate with utter abandon. Think the last second, game-winning basketball shot in March.

Think opening a letter to find out you have a full-ride scholarship or the new grandparent with ALLLLLL

the pictures.

Halal is to rave about God. Paul and the disciples were so filled with the spirit at times that people

thought they were drunk (Acts 2:13-15 and Ephesians 5:18).

Halal is to be foolishly clamorous like David: David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might

before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. . . David was dancing

before the Lord with all his might. . . As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal . . .

watched from a window . . . and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel

6:5,14,16).

When Michal confronted David about looking foolish, he replied, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will

become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22).

Halal is found throughout Psalms:

• Let heaven and earth praise (halal) him, the seas and all that move in them. (Psalm 69:34)
• Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise (halal); his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalm 145:3)
• Praise (halal) the Lord, you his servants; praise (halal) the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised (halal), both now and forevermore. (Psalm 113:1-2)
• Let everything that has breath, praise (halal) the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)

Halal is cranking up the radio, letting joy “move” you and car-dancing with no care in the world about

how you look.

Halal is JOY!

Child of God, you have been redeemed. Celebrate with Halal today.

By LaRaine Rice

* Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible, Volume 2,

33.