“Again, they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Revelation 19:3-6, NKJV)
Introduction
The word hallelujah, sometimes rendered alleluia, is a way to give God honor or glory. Literally, it means “praise ye YAH (Yahweh)” in Hebrew. Yahweh is the personal name of the heavenly Father. Yah is the short form of the heavenly Father’s name. Today we might say “Hallelujah” or “Praise the Lord!”
In the wedding supper of the Lamb, described in Revelation 19, a great multitude comes before the throne into the presence of God saying “Hallelujah.” It is a declaration of victory—God’s enemies have been vanquished. God is to be praised and honored, to receive glory. The chapter points out God’s power, sovereignty, and His eternal interaction with His people. “Hallelujah” expresses that all the honor and thanksgiving and credit belong to God.
The English word praise occurs more than 200 times in the Bible. Not surprisingly, it shows up most notably in the books of Psalms and Revelation. There are three words typically associated with the praise of God – thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Thanksgiving is a form of worship based on what God has done through His supernatural intervention in the lives of His children. When we praise God, we are engaging a dimension of God that speaks of whom He Is beyond expressing our approval, thankfulness, and respect for the Almighty God (Psalm 100:4). In worship, our lives – even our physical bodies – literally become the praise offered to God. The only thing necessary to praise God is one’s breath (Psalm 150:6), but to worship Him requires laying your very LIFE before Him (Romans 12:1; Revelation 4:10-11). This level of engagement is not concerned with the preservation of our dignity because it is focused on honoring His divinity (2 Samuel 6:14-16;1Chronicles 29:10-13) Uninhibited worship seems outlandish to the human mind, but it is “normal” around the throne in heaven.
By design, man will hardly want to praise God but rather focus on the challenges and negative occurrences in their life. However, in Revelation 19, praise is commanded of all those who fear and serve the LORD; both small and great should praise Him without exception. It is not a choice, but a command, as no one can defeat a man who lives a lifestyle of praise. No wonder David compelled his mouth and soul to praise God continually (Psalm 34:1), and God declared David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).
The Mystery of Hallelujah (or Praise)
- Praise reveals the dimension of the wonder-working power of God (Exodus 15:11). God does wonders through praises. Paul and Silas were in the prison, but praise caused an earthquake that opened the prison gates (Acts 16:25-30). When you engage in praise, it can deal with any fortified foundation, gates, or barriers in your way.
- Praise brings down God’s hand on us (2 Kings 3:15). Elisha requested a minstrel, after which, he experienced the hand of God upon him. Then, he was able to prophesy. God’s hand gives access to God’s voice.
- The mystery of Hallelujah is in the voice of God (Isaiah 30:29-31). When we hear the voice of God in any challenging situation, we can be sure that our victory is guaranteed because in His voice lies our victory. Praise makes it easier to hear the voice of God. Psalm 29:1-5 assures us that God’s voice can break through any difficult situation around us.
- Praise establishes God’s sanctuary and dominion (Psalm 22:3). Perpetual praise establishes a sanctuary for God because He enjoys the praise of His children anytime, anywhere, and always. Praise will always establish God’s sanctuary and dominion for his children anywhere they go. A lifestyle of praise ensures that everything that stands in the way of your God-ordained destiny bows before you (Psalm 114:1-8).
- Praise grants unrestricted access to God’s presence (Psalm 16:11). Praise is a revealer of the shining path of the believer’s life (Proverbs 4:18). Praise will reveal the source of the joy of a believer and where the true pleasure lies and await us as believers. Consistent praise will guarantee ceaseless revelation from the throne of grace.
- Praise releases fresh oil for exploits, impact, and relevance in life (Psalm 92:10-15). A life of praise exposes you to an uninterrupted flow of God’s power, and perpetual burning for Christ, and ensures that darkness stays away from you. Fresh oil will keep us in the dimension of consistent victories (Psalm 89:20-24). Praise is a QR code for fast access to God’s heart and a password to uninterrupted fellowship.
- Praise gives supernatural breakthroughs (Joshua 6:20). In this portion of Scripture, the Israelites’ breakthrough came as they shouted, and every fortified fence was brought down before them.
The secret of David’s victorious life was found in his continuous praise of God. He can therefore be used as a case study of the power of praise at work in the life of an individual (Psalm 34).
Conclusion
Habakkuk 3:17-19 and Job 13:15 both assure us that when we refuse to let our circumstances determine if, when, and how we praise God, we can always attest to the faithfulness and omnipotence of God. A commitment to a lifestyle of praise is a normal outcome of a life dedicated to the worship of God in totality. So, no matter what is going on in your life, you can express your thanksgiving to God in a declaration. Say: “Though I may have suffered disappointments, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Even if I might not have yet received all that I wanted, I will trust in You, O God, and praise You more henceforth, in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.
Altar Call
God will only reveal the mystery of His riches in praise to those who are His children in Christ (Colossians 1:27). You must accept Christ and allow Him unhindered access into your heart. Then, all your praises will be acceptable, and you will begin to tap into the blessings of praising God from now. God will only inhabit the praise of those who are ready to live a holy life (Psalm 22:3). Come and be part of that glorious fellowship now.
Prayer Points
- Praise the Almighty God that you are still alive despite all odds (Ecclesiastes 9:4). Praise Him that you still have life in you.
- Father, as I engage in ceaseless praise from today, let me begin to experience Your wonder-working power from now, in Jesus’ Name.
- Father, let me experience Your mighty hand upon my life, family, business, and church as we begin to live a lifestyle of praise, in Jesus’ Name.
- Father, please make me and my family Your sanctuary, in Jesus’ Name.
- Henceforth, I will begin to enjoy unrestricted access to the presence of God, in Jesus’ Name.
- O Lord, as I praise You from now, let me begin to enjoy fresh oil for relevance, exploits, joy, breakthroughs, and victories all round, in Jesus’ Name.
Thank God for prayers answered.