WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT PRAISE

by Tammy Phillips
July 19, 2021

“Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.”(Hebrews 13:15 NKJV)

When a baseball player hits a home run or a pitcher strikes a batter out, we applaud them.  When a  florist exceeds our expectations, we extol their works.  When a restaurant serves a sumptuous meal, we recommend it to our friends. When a child speaks its first words or takes its first steps, we celebrate them.  When my husband washes clothes all day on his day off, I praise him!  We all want to be acknowledged and thanked for our good works.   If we offer praise at every worldly event and action, how much more should we offer praise God?  The Lord who created and saved us from ourselves is worthy of all our praise.  Yet how often do we stop to praise the Lord?  Look at the faces of those in church,  are we  truly offering the sacrifice of praise to the worthy Lamb of God?

The author of Hebrews tells us to continually praise God.  King David said in Psalms 119:164 that  he stopped and offered praise to God at least seven times a day.  Praise is mentioned 248 times in the King James Bible.  Obviously, praise is important to God!   I was amazed to find seven different words for praise in the Old Testament: HALAL (H1984), YADA (H3034), TODAH (H8426), SABAH (H7623), TEHILLAH (H8416), ZAMAR (H2167), and BARAK (0)

1. HALAL [H1984] The KJV translates Strong’s H1984 as, to be clear; shine; boast foolishly; act like a madman; make a show of; to rave; rage; celebrate.

Sadly, we do this at sports events and music concerts, unashamedly.  When is the last time we acted a fool for God or were called a madman for our open praise to our Creator?  When is the last time we made it clear that we worship the one and only God ?

In God we boast [H1984] all day long, and praise [H2167] thy name for ever. Selah. (Psalm 44:8 NKJV)

For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised[H1984]. (Psalm 96:4 KJV)

 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.[H1984] (Psalm 113:3 KJV)

Further, our hallelujah is derived from the Hebrew words, halal and ya!

Praise ye the LORD  [H1984, 3050]. I will praise[3034]  the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in  the congregation. (Psalm 111:1 KJV)

2. YADAH [H3034] The KJV translates Strong’s H3034 114 times(!), in the following manner: give thanks; confess; thanksgiving; cast; throw; shoot. The root word for yadah is hand. Yadah means to praise with the extended hand, to throw out the hand, and to lift the hands while making a confession or surrender to God.

We also do this without thought at football games. Praise the touchdown, right?  How about when you hear your favorite song and you put your arms in the air like you do not care

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD. (Psalm 134:2 NKJV) 

Give thanks[H3034] unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. (1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV)

 I will praise[H3034]thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. (Psalm 9:1 KJV)

 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise[H3034]   thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things. (Isaiah 25:1 KJV)

3. TODAH [H8426] Todah comes from the same root word as yadah, but it is an extension of the hand in adoration; confession; thanksgiving; a choir of worshippers. It is singing and praising together. 

Whoever offers praise[H8426] glorifies Me. (Psalm 50:23 NKJV)

And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving[H8426] to the LORD, offer [it] of your own free will. (Leviticus 22:29 NKJV) 

When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise[H8426], With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. (Psalm 42:4 NKJV)

4. SABAH (H7623) The KJV translates Strong’s H7623: to pacify; to sooth; to stroke; to still the waves with words, be free from care.

When the storms come, it is our soothing praise that will still the waves and set us free from our cares. 

Because Your lovingkindness [is] better than life, My lips shall praise[H7623] You.  Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalm 63:3-4 NKJV)

One generation shall praise [H7623]  Your works to another  and shall declare Your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4 NKJV)

5. TEHILLAH [H8416] The KJV translates Strong’s H8416 as, song or hymn of praise; adoration; thanksgiving; to glory

He is your praise [H8416], and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. (Deuteronomy 10:21 NKJV)

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise[H8416],  from the upright is beautiful. (Psalm 33:1 NKJV)

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You [are] my praise[H8416]. (Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV) 

6. ZAMAR. [H2167] The KJV translates Strong’s H2167: to pluck the strings of an instrument and to sing

Therefore, I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises[H2167]  to Your name. (2 Samuel 22:50 NKJV)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises[H2167]. (Psalm 98:4 NKJV)

I will praise [H3034] You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises [H2167]  to You. (Psalm 138:1 NKJV) 

7. BARAK [H1288] The KJV translates Strong’s H1288 as, to kneel; an act of adoration

I will bless[H1288] You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalm 63:4 NKJV)

O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel [H1288] before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6

I will bless [H1288] the LORD at all times; His praise[H8416], [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to Praise[H1984] the LORD! For it is good to sing praises [H2167] to our God; For [it is] pleasant, and praise[H8416] is beautiful. (Psalm 147:1 NKJV)

God is good and does good.  He continually deserves our praise in every way!

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving[H4826], and into His courts with praise[H8416]. Be thankful [H3034] to Him  and bless[H1288] His name. (Psalm 100:4 NKJV)