Did you know there were seven “ways to praise” the Lord in
worship? Seven distinct Hebrew words used for His praise. Psalm 100:4 uses four of these words in just one verse. All told, these seven words are used 754 times in the Old Testament.
We should not need to ask why God would put so many times and so many ways to praise the Lord. Praising that which is praiseworthy not only lifts up God, but it helps us.
Don’t you enjoy telling someone else how good something was? When you find a really good restaurant, don’t you go around to others and “praise” the food?
It brings an attitude of gratitude in our hearts. We look for the good in all of the bad. Prayer meetings often center around the hurting, sick and dying, but worship is a celebration of Great our God is. No wonder the Lord dwells in the praise of His people. We should too. Let us raise His praise.
Worship (Hebrew Halal)
used 165 times, it is the root word from which we get Hallelujah. See Ps. 113:1[1]
Obeisance (Hebrew Barak)
used 330 times, it means to bow down and used in Ps. 95:6[2]
See also Ps. 72:15.
Raise Praise (Hebrew: Shabach)
used 11 times, it means to shout to God as in Ps. 106:47,[3]
Sincerity of Spirit (Hebrew Yadah) used 114 times and literally means “lifting up of hands”. See Ps.
9:1[4]
Honesty and truth (Hebrew Todah) used 32 times, mostly as thanksgiving and used in a vow by
lifting hands. See Ps. 56:12[5]
Instruments in Worship (Hebrew Zamar) used 45 times, means to praise with instruments. See Ps.
33:2[6]
Proclamation of Praise (Worship Tehillah) used 57 times, always translated as vocalized praise. See
Ps. 22:3[7]
[1] Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD!
[2] Oh
come, let us worship and bow down; Let
us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
[3] Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from
among the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise.
[4] I will praise
You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
[5] Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You
[6] Sing
praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing
praises.
[7] But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
