Old Testament Praise Words
1. yadah [3034] [Strongs: a primitive root; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
a. 2 Chronicles 7:6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
b. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
c. Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
1). The first word for “praise” is #3034, but the second word for “praise” is #2167.
a). zamar [2167] [Gesenius: to sing, sing praise, make music, to make music, sing, to play a musical instrument, with the idea of striking with the fingers, to touch the strings or parts of musical instruments, play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice, to celebrate in song.]
b). [Strong: a primitive root (perhaps ident. with 2168 through the idea of striking with the fingers); properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music:--give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.]
d. Psalm 42:5, 6, 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
1). The answer for the blues or depression is praise!
a). health [3444 * yeshuw’ah] [Strongs: salvation, deliverance, welfare, prosperity,
deliverance, salvation (by God), victory.]
e. Psalm 43:4, 5 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
1). exceeding [8057 * simchah] [Strong: blithesomeness or glee, exceeding (-ly) gladness, joy (-fullness), rejoicing.
2). We need to praise the Lord with exceeding joy, when we are tempted to be depressed we need to command our soul to praise the Lord who is the health [Yeshuah –deliverance, the deliverer of my countenance.]
f. Psalm 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
1). boast [1984 * halal] [Strong: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
2). praise [3034 * yadah] [Strong: a primitive root; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
g. Psalm 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
1). 1st praise [1984 * halal] Strong: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
2). 2nd praise [3034 * yadah] [Strong: a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
3). These definitions need to be looked at in the context of what Scripture says in the New Covenant.
a). Hebrews 2:11, 12 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
b). More on this in #4!
h. Psalm 71:22, 23 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
1). praise [3034 * yadah] [Strong: a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
2). greatly rejoice [7442 * ranan] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy):--aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.]
i). Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
1). 1st praise [3034 * yadah] a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
2). 2nd praise [8426 * towdah] [Strong: properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers:--confession, (sacrifice of) praise, thanks(-giving, offering).]
j. Psalm 109:30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
1). greatly [3966 * m’od] from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
2). 1st praise [ 3034 * yadah] [Strong: a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
3). 2nd praise [1984 * halal] [Strong: : to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
2. hilluwl [1974] [Strong: from 1984 (in the sense of rejoicing); a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest:--merry, praise.]
a. This word is used only twice in the Old Testament.
1). Leviticus 19:24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal.
2). Judges 9:27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
a). The Hebrew word is translated “merry” in this verse.
3. tehillah [8416] [Strong: from 1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn:--praise.] [Gesenius: praise, song or hymn of praise, praise, adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God), act of general or public praise, praise-song (as title), praise (demanded by qualities or deeds or attributes of God), renown, fame, glory, of Damascus, God, object of praise, possessor of renown (fig), celebrate]
a. Deuteronomy 10:21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
b. 2 Chronicles 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
1). A powerful explanation is given after combining the content of a verse in Psalm 8 and Matthew 15.
a). Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
b). Matthew 21:15, 16 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
c). Praise will still the enemy. It stops the devil in his tracks!
c. Psalm 33:1-3 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
1). praise [8416 * tehillah] [Strong: from 1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn:--praise.] [Gesenius: praise, song or hymn of praise, praise, adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God), act of general or public praise, praise-song (as title), praise (demanded by qualities or deeds or attributes of God), renown, fame, glory, of Damascus, God, object of praise, possessor of renown (fig), celebrate]
2). rejoice [7442 * a primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy):--aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.
3). comely [5000 * na’veh] [Strong: from 4998 or 5116; suitable, or beautiful:--becometh, comely, seemly.
a). It is beautiful for the believer to rejoice, shout out loud in praise and in victory.
4. halal [1984] to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
a. Psalm 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
1). This Psalm of course is a Messianic Psalm about Christ Jesus, so this is Jesus speaking first person.
2). This verse is quoted by the writer of Hebrews and sheds some interesting light on how praise is to be in the New Covenant.
a). Hebrews 2:11, 12 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
3). Combining the Hebrew definition of praise in Psalm 22:22 and the citing of that verse in Hebrews 2:11, 12, it appears to me that the second person of the Triune Godhead, Jesus, desires some of our praise music in our congregations to be noisy, raging, raving and boastful praise of the first Person of the Triune Godhead, the Father, so that He, Jesus, can participate in and through us giving praise to His Father and our Father God.
b. 1 Chronicles 16:4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
1). praise [1984 * halah][Strong: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
c. Psalm 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
1). All 13 instances of the word “praise” in Psalm 150 is the Hebrew word ‘halal’.
a). [1984 * halal] [Strong: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]
d. Ezra 3:10, 11 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
1). shouted [7321 * ruwa] [Gesenius: to shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast, to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or march, to shout in triumph (over enemies), to shout in applause, to shout (with religious impulse), to cry out in distress, to utter a shout, to shout in triumph, to shout for joy.]
2). great [1419 * gadowl] [Gesenius: great, large (in magnitude and extent), in number
in intensity, loud (in sound), older (in age)
in importance.]
3). shout [8643 * teruw’ah] [Gesenius: alarm, signal, sound of tempest, shout, shout or blast of war or alarm or joy, alarm of war, war-cry, battle-cry, blast (for march), shout of joy (with religious impulse), shout of joy (in general).]
4). praise [1984 * halal] [Strong: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned.]
e. Psalm 149:1-9 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
5. barak [1288] [Strong: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason):--X abundantly, X altogether, X at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, X greatly, X indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, X still, thank.
a. According to www.blueletterbible. Org This word is used 330 times in the OT and 302 times it is translated ‘bless’.
b. Psalm 145:1, 2 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name forever and ever.
6. zamar [2167] [Strong: a primitive root (perhaps ident. with 2168 through the idea of striking with the fingers); properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music:--give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.]
a. Psalm 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
b. Psalm 57:7-9My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
c. Psalm 9:1, 2 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
1). 1st praise [3034 * yadah] [Strong: a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).]
2). glad [8055 * samach] [Gesenius: to rejoice, be glad, to rejoice, to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at), to rejoice (religiously), to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad, to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad.]
3). 2nd praise is zamar * 2167.
7. towdah [8426] [Strong: an extension of the hand, i. e., (by implication) avowal, to declare openly, usually adoration, specifically a choir of worshippers, confession, sacrifice of praise, thanks, thanksgiving offering.]
a. Psalm 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
b. Psalm 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
c. Psalm 100:1 [[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
1). joyful noise [7321 * ruwa’] [Strong: to shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast,
to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or march, to shout in triumph (over enemies), to shout in applause
to shout (with religious impulse), to cry out in distress, to utter a shout, to shout in triumph, to shout for joy.]
8. shabach [7623] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to address in a loud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by words):--commend, glory, keep in, praise, still, triumph.
a. Psalm 63:3-5 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
1). joyful [7445 * renanah] [Strong: a shout (for joy):--joyful (voice), singing, triumphing. ringing cry, shout (for joy)]
b. Psalm 117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
1). The second word for praise is shabach [7623].
c. Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
