PRAISE DEFINED (3)

#WordForTodayDevotional

Monday September 5, 2022

PRAISE DEFINED (3)

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Psalms 95:6 (KJV)

We shall be concluding our discuss on the seven Hebrew words that define praise. We have seen Towdah, Yadah, Halal, Shabach and Zamar in the preceding days. Let’s continue with the sixth.

6. Barak (Strong’s, H1288; Vine’s, “To Bless”), the sixth dimension of praise, is a primitive root meaning, “to kneel, to bless Yahweh as an act of adoration, to salute.” (Psalms 95:6). This is often the response of the human spirit to the presence of Yahweh during praise and worship. While barak is often translated to “bless,” particularly in the King James Version (see Genesis 9:26; Deuteronomy 1:11; Jeremiah 4:2), other English translations use “praise” (see Genesis 24:48; Joshua 22:33; 1 Samuel 25:32; 1 Kings 10:9; Psalms 41:13) when referring to people blessing Yahweh, and “congratulate” (see 1 Kings 1:47) and “thank” (see Deuteronomy 24:13) when referring to people blessing people. Barak is also used to refer to Yahweh’s blessing on human beings (see Genesis 1:22; 9:1; Deuteronomy 12:7; Psalms 45:2) and the things they do and need (see Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 16:15), and of the blessings given by the priests in Yahweh’s name (see Deuteronomy 21:5). In a somewhat interesting counterpoint, barak is also used to refer to blasphemy or cursing against Yahweh (see 1 Kings 21:10,13; Job 1:5).

7. Tehillah (Strong’s, H8416; Vine’s, “To Praise”) is the final dimension of praise. It is based on a root that means “laudation,” especially as it refers to hymns (see Psalms 40:3), and it speaks of the praiseworthy quality of a person or thing. TEHILLAH is derived from the word halal and means “the singing of halals, to sing or to laud; perceived to involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit or praise.” Tehillah is song that publicly lauds Yahweh both as the praise of Israel and as the One to be praised (see Deuteronomy 10:21; 1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalms 22:3; 148:14; Jeremiah 17:14). Therefore, Tehillah praise may occur when Yahweh’s people are praising Him, giving Him praise, or speaking of His praise (see 1 Chronicles 16:35; 2 Chronicles 20:22; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalms 22:25; 71:8). In addition, the Scriptures tell us that tehillah is praise Yahweh is not willing to share with anyone or anything else (see Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 48:2). It is for Him alone, being the very place of His dwelling (see Psalms 22:3). So zealous is Yahweh for the tehillah praise of His people, that He even holds back His anger so He can receive praise (see Isaiah 48:9). Moreover, the Scriptures tell us that Yahweh will make Jerusalem the praise of the earth (see Isaiah 62:7; Jeremiah 33:9) as He makes His people praiseworthy (see Deuteronomy 26:19; Zephaniah 3:19-20). Then His people themselves will be His praise (see Jeremiah 33:11). Nehemiah 9:5 is an interesting usage of this word, in that Yahweh’s name is “exalted above all blessing [shabach] and praise [tehillah].” In other words, Yahweh is exalted above any praise we can offer Him. Thus, it is not surprising that tehillah is also translated “glory” (see Exodus 15:11).

God dwells in the Tehillah of His people. So keep blessing Yahweh (Barak) and singing spiritual songs (Tehillah) to the Lord and watch how mountains and hills in your life skips like rams and calves. Shalom!

REMEMBER: Singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord is the code that unlocks God’s presence.

SONG: Dear Heavenly Father, like oil upon Your feet, like wine for you to drink, like water from my heart, I pour my love on You, if praise is like perfume, I lavish mine on You, till every drop is gone, I pour my love on You! – Words of song by Philips, Craig & Dean.

PROPHETIC RELEASE: The heaven is open, the rains of wonders have started, key in by your praise. Everlasting mountains are being moved in your life now in the name of Yahushua HaMashiach Amen!

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 9:26; Deuteronomy 10:21; Ephesians 5:19-20

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Read the bible in one year from Old and New Testaments, Psalms and Proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8;1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21

PASTOR PRINCE CHIMAOBIM NWABUIKWU
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