Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Dec. 19 - Halal (Strong's 1984)
This is another primitive root verb with a bunch of meanings depending upon the tense and context.
The Strong's Hebrew/Chaldee Dictionary in the back of my Zodhiates defines 1984 as: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causat. 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.
Can I just say....'(clamorously) foolish'? Can you see why this is my favorite word for praise? 'Cause 'Clamorously foolish' could SO be part of my personality description.
This is a noisy praise. A boasting, loud, clear, shining, celebratory praise. A praise that makes other folks shake their heads and wonder if the sister really has it all together.
And...personal opinion here...I think for some folks, this is the breakthrough praise. When we stop caring about how we look or what other people are thinking or whether or not we look foolish and just let ourselves react from the innermost core of who we are to who God is and what He has really done. Because once we learn - really learn- how to walk before God, with that relationship being the primary focus in life-- how can the opinion of any one else influence us anymore?
Now, don't get me wrong, here, I'm not advocating being loud and wild in every praise situation. The Spirit will not cause a commotion that will detract from the worship of the moment. But there ARE times when the whole assembly celebrates, and a full expression of whatever praise is in the heart is an addition to the glory...and the breakthrough comes when we give over caring what people think and focus on praising God.
Although it isn't described specifically as praise in the text, we have a perfect picture of a Halal praise in 2 Samuel 6, when David had the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem and 'danced before the Lord with all his might' (verse 14).
Clamorously foolish, indeed...David's wife, Michal, was embarrassed by his behavior and scolded him when he came to bless his household. But David basically replied, 'B-B-B-Baby, you ain't seen n-n-n-nothin' yet' -- declaring that he celebrated for God and all He had done, and that he would make himself more contemptible, abase himself even further, to celebrate before God.
The Blue Letter Bible scholars report that Halal is used 165 times in the Old Testament...and the King James translators rendered it most often as Praise - 117 times, to be exact. It was translated Glory 14 times; Boast 10 times; Mad eight times; Shine and Foolish three times each; Fools, Commended and Rage, twice each; and one time each as Celebrate, Give, Marriage and Renowned.
Here's how some of the verses are translated in the Amplified:
2 Sam. 22:4 - I call on the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised [Halal], and I am saved from my enemies.
1 Chron 16:4 - He appointed Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to celebrate (by calling to mind), thanking and praising [Halal] the Lord, the God of Israel;
1 Chron 16:10 - Glory [Halal] in His holy name; let the heart of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
1 Chron 23:5 - And, said David, 4,000 shall be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise [Halal] the Lord with the instruments which I made for praise [Halal].
2 Chron 5:13 - And when the trumpeters and singers were in unison, making one sound to be heard in praising [Halal] and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments for song, and praised [Halal] the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever, then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,
2 Chron 20:19 - And the Levites, of the Kohathites and Korahites, stood up to praise [Halal] the Lord God of Israel with a very loud voice.
2 Chron 23:12 - 13 - When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising [Halal] the king, she went into the Lord's house to the people; And behold, there the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with musical instruments led in singing of praise [Halal]. Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason! Treason!
Ezra 3: 10 - 11 - And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their vestments with trumpets, and the Levite sons of Asaph with their cymbals, to praise [Halal] the Lord, after the order of David king of Israel. They sang responsively, praising [Halal] and giving thanks to the Lord, saying For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised [Halal] the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid!
Ps 22:22-23 - I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise [Halal] You. You who fear - revere and worship - the Lord, praise [Halal] Him!
Ps. 56:4 - By (the help of ) God I will praise [Halal] His Word; on God I lean, rely and confidently put my trust; I will not fear; what can man who is flesh do to me?
Ps 102:18 - Let this be recorded for a generation yet unborn, and a people yet to be created shall praise [Halal] the Lord.
Ps 113: 1 - Praise [Halal] the Lord! -- Hallelujah! Praise [Halal], O servants of the Lord, praise [Halal] the name of the Lord!
Ps. 150: Praise [Halal] the Lord! Praise [Halal] God in His sanctuary; praise [Halal] Him in the heavens of His power! Praise [Halal] Him for His mighty acts, praise [Halal] Him according to the abundance of His greatness! Praise [Halal] Him with trumpet sound; praise [Halal] Him with lute and harp! Praise [Halal] Him with tambourine and (single or group) dance; praise [Halal] Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! Praise [Halal] Him with sounding cymbals; praise [Halal] Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise [Halal] the Lord! Praise [Halal] you the Lord! Hallelujah!
Joel 2:26 - And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise [Halal] the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame.
Wow. Typing all of that has made me want to give a Halal praise myself...God is amazing and worthy of our praise! He made Himself nothing, took the nature of a servant, walked among us, and loved us to the point of death...then turned death backwards and loves us still. There is no one like Him...rejoice this Christmas, because He came to US!
Hallelujah!
Showing posts with label Blogging Bible Study: Season of Praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging Bible Study: Season of Praise. Show all posts
Friday, December 19, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Season of Praise: Tehillah
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
12/12/14 - Tehillah; Strong's 8416 - praise, song or hymn of praise.
Every time we study these words at church, my pastor cautions us not to confuse Tehillah with Tequila...
This is only the second noun in the list (the other that we've looked at, which I didn't mention at the time, was Towdah...thanksgiving). This is not an action...this is the thing itself. A praise song.
Tehillah appears 57 times in the Old Testament and the King James translates it as praise or praises. Every. Single. Time.
Of course, other translations may do it a bit differently....
Let's look at some (Amplified):
Deut 10:21 - He is your praise [Tehillah]; He is your God, Who has done for you these great and terrible things which your eyes have seen.
Deut 26:19 - And He will make you high above all nations which He has made, in praise [Tehillah] and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.
1 Chron 16:35 - And say, Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together, and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise [Tehillah].
Ps. 22:3 - But You are holy, O You Who dwell in (the holy place where) the praises [Tehillah] of Israel (are offered).
Ps 35:28 - And my tongue shall talk of Your righteousness, rightness and justice and (my reasons for) Your praise [Tehillah] all the day long.
Ps 40:3 - And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise [Tehillah] to our God. Many shall see and fear -- revere, and worship -- and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.
Ps 51:15 - O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise [Tehillah].
Ps 66:2 - Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise [Tehillah] glorious!
Ps 78:4 - We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy [Tehillah] deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed.
Ps 111:10 - The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and skill (the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet of them). A good understanding, wisdom and meaning have all those who do (the will of the Lord). Their praise [Tehillah] of Him endures forever.
Is. 42:10 - Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise [Tehillah] from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them sing (a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world)!
Is 61:3 - To grant (consolation and joy) to those who mourn in Zion, to give them an ornament -- a garland or diadem -- of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment (expressive) of praise [Tehillah] instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit; that they might be called oaks of righteousness (lofty, strong and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice and right standing with God), the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Zeph 3:20 - At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise [Tehillah] among all the nations of the earth, when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord.
Praise is not only our response to a holy and glorious God, it is also a sign to others of who God is...not only by what we express, but what God expresses towards us. I was surprised to see the references to God making His people a praise...something that declares His character and goodness to others.
Praise is more than just an expression. It carries power.
12/12/14 - Tehillah; Strong's 8416 - praise, song or hymn of praise.
Every time we study these words at church, my pastor cautions us not to confuse Tehillah with Tequila...
This is only the second noun in the list (the other that we've looked at, which I didn't mention at the time, was Towdah...thanksgiving). This is not an action...this is the thing itself. A praise song.
Tehillah appears 57 times in the Old Testament and the King James translates it as praise or praises. Every. Single. Time.
Of course, other translations may do it a bit differently....
Let's look at some (Amplified):
Deut 10:21 - He is your praise [Tehillah]; He is your God, Who has done for you these great and terrible things which your eyes have seen.
Deut 26:19 - And He will make you high above all nations which He has made, in praise [Tehillah] and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.
1 Chron 16:35 - And say, Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together, and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise [Tehillah].
Ps. 22:3 - But You are holy, O You Who dwell in (the holy place where) the praises [Tehillah] of Israel (are offered).
Ps 35:28 - And my tongue shall talk of Your righteousness, rightness and justice and (my reasons for) Your praise [Tehillah] all the day long.
Ps 40:3 - And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise [Tehillah] to our God. Many shall see and fear -- revere, and worship -- and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.
Ps 51:15 - O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise [Tehillah].
Ps 66:2 - Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise [Tehillah] glorious!
Ps 78:4 - We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy [Tehillah] deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed.
Ps 111:10 - The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and skill (the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet of them). A good understanding, wisdom and meaning have all those who do (the will of the Lord). Their praise [Tehillah] of Him endures forever.
Is. 42:10 - Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise [Tehillah] from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them sing (a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world)!
Is 61:3 - To grant (consolation and joy) to those who mourn in Zion, to give them an ornament -- a garland or diadem -- of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment (expressive) of praise [Tehillah] instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit; that they might be called oaks of righteousness (lofty, strong and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice and right standing with God), the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Zeph 3:20 - At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise [Tehillah] among all the nations of the earth, when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord.
Praise is not only our response to a holy and glorious God, it is also a sign to others of who God is...not only by what we express, but what God expresses towards us. I was surprised to see the references to God making His people a praise...something that declares His character and goodness to others.
Praise is more than just an expression. It carries power.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Season of Praise: Shabach
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Shabach - Strong's 7623
That link is to the Blue Letter Bible lexicon that I've been using so far in this study, but I found that it differed from the definition in the Hebrew/Chaldee dictionary in the back of my Zodhiates, which is the definition listed here.
Again, this is a primitive root word and has a number of tenses and meanings...I suspect it's a word like the English word 'TEAR'...which means entirely different things, depending on the context.
So. The BLB folks list two primary meanings for Shabach; the first one, to soothe, still, stroke, really isn't applicable to the current discussion, so we'll look at the second one listed, to laud, praise, commend; congratulate, boast. This one is, at least, comparable to Strong's definition of 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.
But the Strong's entry also mentions 'loud tone'...and the definition I have heard before included 'to shout'. It is interesting that volume is not mentioned in the BLB lexicon, whereas it's the primary connotation of Strong's.
So let's see how it is used. The BLB folks tell us that it is only used 11 times in the entire Old Testament, and it's translated in the King James as Praise 5 times, Still twice, and once each as Keep it in, Glory, Triumph and Commend.
Let's see how the Amplified translates the applications that involve praise:
1 Ch 16:35 - And say, Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together, and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory [Shabach] in Your praise.
Ps. 63:3 - Because Your loving-kindess is better than life, my lips shall praise [Shabach] You.
Ps. 106:47 - Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory [Shabach] in praising You.
Ps. 117:1 - O Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise [Shabach] Him, all you people!
Ps. 145:4 - One generation shall laud [Shabach] Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
Ps. 147:12 - Praise [Shabach] the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
Just for grins, I checked the words that are translated 'praise' in the verses that have more than one appearance of that word...and they are the other two words that we haven't looked at yet. But it makes sense...as you'll see in a couple of weeks...when you add the connotation of 'loud' to the words that were translated from Shabach.
Now, I'll admit I am not typically a loud-praising kind of person. My praise tends more to poetry than screaming. But, you know, there are times when a loud raucus praise fits the occasion. There are not a ton of instances of loud praise in the Bible, as we can see from the short list above...but there are some.
And I've observed judgement passed upon folks in both directions. Some for being 'too loud'...others for being 'too quiet'. I remember being in a church service a number of years ago in which I had the conscious thought , 'This is a circus and I don't want any part of it'...had a mental picture of collecting my kids from children's ministry and going home...but I immediately felt an overwhelming grief in my spirit even as I thought that. Would I shut out the Spirit of God just because I was uncomfortable with the way people around me were reacting to Him? I actually felt a bit frightened that I would consider such a thing.
My praise may not be loud...but 'loud' is definitely a connotation of Shabach, There are times when a shout is the very thing that will bring down the enemy's wall. Who am I to say whose praise is too loud for their breakthrough? Someday...I may need to be free to shout through a wall myself.
Shabach - Strong's 7623
That link is to the Blue Letter Bible lexicon that I've been using so far in this study, but I found that it differed from the definition in the Hebrew/Chaldee dictionary in the back of my Zodhiates, which is the definition listed here.
Again, this is a primitive root word and has a number of tenses and meanings...I suspect it's a word like the English word 'TEAR'...which means entirely different things, depending on the context.
So. The BLB folks list two primary meanings for Shabach; the first one, to soothe, still, stroke, really isn't applicable to the current discussion, so we'll look at the second one listed, to laud, praise, commend; congratulate, boast. This one is, at least, comparable to Strong's definition of 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.
But the Strong's entry also mentions 'loud tone'...and the definition I have heard before included 'to shout'. It is interesting that volume is not mentioned in the BLB lexicon, whereas it's the primary connotation of Strong's.
So let's see how it is used. The BLB folks tell us that it is only used 11 times in the entire Old Testament, and it's translated in the King James as Praise 5 times, Still twice, and once each as Keep it in, Glory, Triumph and Commend.
Let's see how the Amplified translates the applications that involve praise:
1 Ch 16:35 - And say, Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together, and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory [Shabach] in Your praise.
Ps. 63:3 - Because Your loving-kindess is better than life, my lips shall praise [Shabach] You.
Ps. 106:47 - Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory [Shabach] in praising You.
Ps. 117:1 - O Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise [Shabach] Him, all you people!
Ps. 145:4 - One generation shall laud [Shabach] Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
Ps. 147:12 - Praise [Shabach] the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
Just for grins, I checked the words that are translated 'praise' in the verses that have more than one appearance of that word...and they are the other two words that we haven't looked at yet. But it makes sense...as you'll see in a couple of weeks...when you add the connotation of 'loud' to the words that were translated from Shabach.
Now, I'll admit I am not typically a loud-praising kind of person. My praise tends more to poetry than screaming. But, you know, there are times when a loud raucus praise fits the occasion. There are not a ton of instances of loud praise in the Bible, as we can see from the short list above...but there are some.
And I've observed judgement passed upon folks in both directions. Some for being 'too loud'...others for being 'too quiet'. I remember being in a church service a number of years ago in which I had the conscious thought , 'This is a circus and I don't want any part of it'...had a mental picture of collecting my kids from children's ministry and going home...but I immediately felt an overwhelming grief in my spirit even as I thought that. Would I shut out the Spirit of God just because I was uncomfortable with the way people around me were reacting to Him? I actually felt a bit frightened that I would consider such a thing.
My praise may not be loud...but 'loud' is definitely a connotation of Shabach, There are times when a shout is the very thing that will bring down the enemy's wall. Who am I to say whose praise is too loud for their breakthrough? Someday...I may need to be free to shout through a wall myself.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Season of Praise: Barak
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Nov. 28 - Barak - Strong's 1288
This is another primitive root word with a handful of tenses. The lexicon linked above and Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee dictionary agree that Barak primarily means to kneel, but Strong adds that implications include to bless God (as an act of adoration) and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); apparently one of those tenses means the opposite, as the word can also be translated to curse (God or the king, as treason).
The word appears a whopping 330 times in the Old Testament; 302 of those are translated in the King James as Bless, but it also appears five times as Salute, four times as Curse, twice each as Blaspheme, Blessing, Praised, and Kneel down; once time each as Congratulate, Kneel, and Make to kneel, and finally, with a notation I haven't encountered before, the Blue Letter Bible lexicon just says that it is translated eight times as what appears to be miscellaneous unspecified words.
If I counted right, the word is used 65 times in the book of Genesis alone, 34 of those instances are God giving His blessing. Here's a glimpse (and I'm using the Amplified again):
Genesis 1:22 - And God blessed [Barak] them, saying, Be fruitful, multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the fowl multiply in the earth.
Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed [Barak] them, and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it (with all its vast resources); and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.
Genesis 2:3 - And God blessed [Barak] (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done.
Genesis 12: 2-3 - And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless [Barak] you (with abundance and increase of favors) and make your name famous and distinguished, and you shall be a blessing - dispensing good to others. And I will bless [Barak] those who bless [Barak] you (who confer prosperity or happiness upon you) and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you shall all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [Barak] - by you they shall bless themselves.
Genesis 26:12 - Then Isaac sowed seed in that land, and received in the same year 100 times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings [Barak].
Genesis 32:29 - Then Jacob asked Him, Tell me, I pray You, what (in contrast) is Your name? But He said, Why is it that you ask My name? and (the Angel of God declared) a blessing [Barak] on (Jacob) there.
Genesis 39:5 - From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed [Barak] the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the Lord's blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Genesis 48:3 - And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz (Bethel) in the land of Canaan and blessed [Barak] me.
I knew from previous sermon series that Barak means to kneel, to bless God but I had not seen that it also means God blesses as well. I think it's really interesting that the word used for God blessing man has in its root the connotation of kneeling.
I know I've wandered a bit from my stated purpose in studying praise, but I'm not so sure it isn't related. The position of kneeling is synonymous with submission; one kneels to a person in higher authority. It shows recognition of overlordship; a subject presenting himself to his liege lord.
The position of an individual blessing God results in God blessing the individual.
Or nation, for that matter. When we acknowledge the power and authority of God, from a position of kneeling and blessing Him, that puts us in the position for Him to put His blessing on us.
Nov. 28 - Barak - Strong's 1288
This is another primitive root word with a handful of tenses. The lexicon linked above and Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee dictionary agree that Barak primarily means to kneel, but Strong adds that implications include to bless God (as an act of adoration) and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); apparently one of those tenses means the opposite, as the word can also be translated to curse (God or the king, as treason).
The word appears a whopping 330 times in the Old Testament; 302 of those are translated in the King James as Bless, but it also appears five times as Salute, four times as Curse, twice each as Blaspheme, Blessing, Praised, and Kneel down; once time each as Congratulate, Kneel, and Make to kneel, and finally, with a notation I haven't encountered before, the Blue Letter Bible lexicon just says that it is translated eight times as what appears to be miscellaneous unspecified words.
If I counted right, the word is used 65 times in the book of Genesis alone, 34 of those instances are God giving His blessing. Here's a glimpse (and I'm using the Amplified again):
Genesis 1:22 - And God blessed [Barak] them, saying, Be fruitful, multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the fowl multiply in the earth.
Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed [Barak] them, and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it (with all its vast resources); and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.
Genesis 2:3 - And God blessed [Barak] (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done.
Genesis 12: 2-3 - And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless [Barak] you (with abundance and increase of favors) and make your name famous and distinguished, and you shall be a blessing - dispensing good to others. And I will bless [Barak] those who bless [Barak] you (who confer prosperity or happiness upon you) and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you shall all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [Barak] - by you they shall bless themselves.
Genesis 26:12 - Then Isaac sowed seed in that land, and received in the same year 100 times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings [Barak].
Genesis 32:29 - Then Jacob asked Him, Tell me, I pray You, what (in contrast) is Your name? But He said, Why is it that you ask My name? and (the Angel of God declared) a blessing [Barak] on (Jacob) there.
Genesis 39:5 - From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed [Barak] the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the Lord's blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Genesis 48:3 - And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz (Bethel) in the land of Canaan and blessed [Barak] me.
I knew from previous sermon series that Barak means to kneel, to bless God but I had not seen that it also means God blesses as well. I think it's really interesting that the word used for God blessing man has in its root the connotation of kneeling.
I know I've wandered a bit from my stated purpose in studying praise, but I'm not so sure it isn't related. The position of kneeling is synonymous with submission; one kneels to a person in higher authority. It shows recognition of overlordship; a subject presenting himself to his liege lord.
The position of an individual blessing God results in God blessing the individual.
Or nation, for that matter. When we acknowledge the power and authority of God, from a position of kneeling and blessing Him, that puts us in the position for Him to put His blessing on us.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Season of Praise: Zamar
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
11/21/14 - Zamar - Strong's 2167
I recollect from our pastor's previous sermon series on these words that zamar was interpreted 'to play skillfully upon a musical instrument'
The Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary in the back of Zodhiates defines it as a prim. root; prop. 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. There is a mention of an association with another word that involves the connotation of 'striking with the fingers', although I am not really able to figure out quite what that association is.
The linked reference mentions 'to pluck or to prune, especially a vine'. But, out of the 47 times the word is used in the Old Testament, the KJV translates it as Praise 26 times, Sing 16 times, Sing Psalms twice and Sing Forth once. All but 4 of those references are in the Psalms.
No mention of musical instruments in that list, but, looking at the Hebrew meanings of the word, it's clear that musical instruments are implied.
Over and over in the Psalms, the idea that one should just grab anything that makes a sound and use it to proclaim God's praise is presented. Cymbals, flutes, trumpets...anything. David's harp playing could calm Saul's torment (1 Samuel 16); Elisha asked for a harp player to help dispel an atmosphere of unbelief so he could discern the voice of God (2 Kings 3:15).
I marvel at folks who can sit down and pick up an instrument and worship. I played the clarinet in school band for years...even a bit in college...but it is not something that came particularly easy. I had to work at it to just be a fair musician. But some of my best playing was done years later, in our little 'we're all family here' church, along side the church pianist. Who, fortunately for me, always transposed anything with more than two sharps into the corresponding flats key...down half a step, which meant that the B flat clarinet didn't have to play in foreign keys that had a bodacious number of sharps. I even did a little arranging of songs to play.
Don't get me wrong. I was still just fair at it. But I loved doing it. Praising Him with an instrument blessed me. Maybe at the cost of the folks who listened...but I was encouraged to do it, so I am taking that as an indication that it wasn't terribly offensive to the human audience.
So...what can you do? Play a tambourine, like Miriam? Play the piano...which is really just a harp turned sideways? Play an accordion to the glory of God? A harmonica? The guitar, which is the descendant of the biblical lyre? Or just listen and rejoice in the gifts that God gave others to enter into worship with their skillful playing upon instruments? Put in that cd...or pull up that song on the mp3 player...and let the worship minister to you in trouble, like it did for Saul, or help you focus and discern the voice of God, as it did for Elisha.
A smattering of verses that use Zamar - from the Amplified:
Ps. 21:13 - Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise [Zamar] Your power.
Ps. 57:7 - My heart is fixed, O God; my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody [Zamar].
Ps. 71:22 - I will also praise [Zamar] You with the harp, even Your truth and faithfulness, O my God; unto you will I sing praises.
Ps. 95:8 - Sing praises [Zamar] to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody.
Ps 144:9 - I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings, will I offer praises [Zamar] to You.
Ps. 147:7 - Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises [Zamar] with the harp or the lyre to our God!
Ps. 149:3 - Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the (single or group) dance, let them sing praises [Zamar] to Him with they tambourine and lyre!
11/21/14 - Zamar - Strong's 2167
I recollect from our pastor's previous sermon series on these words that zamar was interpreted 'to play skillfully upon a musical instrument'
The Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary in the back of Zodhiates defines it as a prim. root; prop. 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. There is a mention of an association with another word that involves the connotation of 'striking with the fingers', although I am not really able to figure out quite what that association is.
The linked reference mentions 'to pluck or to prune, especially a vine'. But, out of the 47 times the word is used in the Old Testament, the KJV translates it as Praise 26 times, Sing 16 times, Sing Psalms twice and Sing Forth once. All but 4 of those references are in the Psalms.
No mention of musical instruments in that list, but, looking at the Hebrew meanings of the word, it's clear that musical instruments are implied.
Over and over in the Psalms, the idea that one should just grab anything that makes a sound and use it to proclaim God's praise is presented. Cymbals, flutes, trumpets...anything. David's harp playing could calm Saul's torment (1 Samuel 16); Elisha asked for a harp player to help dispel an atmosphere of unbelief so he could discern the voice of God (2 Kings 3:15).
I marvel at folks who can sit down and pick up an instrument and worship. I played the clarinet in school band for years...even a bit in college...but it is not something that came particularly easy. I had to work at it to just be a fair musician. But some of my best playing was done years later, in our little 'we're all family here' church, along side the church pianist. Who, fortunately for me, always transposed anything with more than two sharps into the corresponding flats key...down half a step, which meant that the B flat clarinet didn't have to play in foreign keys that had a bodacious number of sharps. I even did a little arranging of songs to play.
Don't get me wrong. I was still just fair at it. But I loved doing it. Praising Him with an instrument blessed me. Maybe at the cost of the folks who listened...but I was encouraged to do it, so I am taking that as an indication that it wasn't terribly offensive to the human audience.
So...what can you do? Play a tambourine, like Miriam? Play the piano...which is really just a harp turned sideways? Play an accordion to the glory of God? A harmonica? The guitar, which is the descendant of the biblical lyre? Or just listen and rejoice in the gifts that God gave others to enter into worship with their skillful playing upon instruments? Put in that cd...or pull up that song on the mp3 player...and let the worship minister to you in trouble, like it did for Saul, or help you focus and discern the voice of God, as it did for Elisha.
A smattering of verses that use Zamar - from the Amplified:
Ps. 21:13 - Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise [Zamar] Your power.
Ps. 57:7 - My heart is fixed, O God; my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody [Zamar].
Ps. 71:22 - I will also praise [Zamar] You with the harp, even Your truth and faithfulness, O my God; unto you will I sing praises.
Ps. 95:8 - Sing praises [Zamar] to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody.
Ps 144:9 - I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings, will I offer praises [Zamar] to You.
Ps. 147:7 - Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises [Zamar] with the harp or the lyre to our God!
Ps. 149:3 - Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the (single or group) dance, let them sing praises [Zamar] to Him with they tambourine and lyre!
Friday, November 14, 2014
Season of Praise: Towdah
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
11/14/14 - Towdah: Strong's 8426
I had a panicky moment last week when I first looked this up in my Zodhiates lexicon and read:
This fem. noun has its source in yadah (3034). It means an extension of the hand, a confession, a vow; thanks, thanksgiving, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, a type of peace offering, offering praise to God for a sacrifice; a thanksgiving choir or procession who gave thanks in praising God.
I read 'extension of the hand' and thought, 'Oh, no! I mixed them up!'
But when I checked the online listing linked above, I realized that no, I had not mixed them up. Yahdah has the connotation of throwing or casting...fling the hands out, so to speak, while Towdah implies holding out a hand with something in it... a Thanksgiving offering.
The Blue Letter Bible listing states that Towdah is used 32 times in the Old Testament. The King James Scholars translated it as Thanksgiving 18 times, Praise six times, Thanks and Thank offerings three times each, and Confession twice; the translators connected the word with Thanksgiving two-thirds of the instances it appears.
And my memory of past sermon series based on these words agrees...one of the words meant 'thanksgiving.'
If you go back and study the sacrifices that the people were to bring, you'll see that it was not always a burnt offering per se...usually, the animal was ceremonially slaughtered, specific parts of it were burned as an offering (the fat and certain innards...not what was particularly healthy to eat), a portion was set aside as holy for the priests and Levites and their families, and the rest was to be eaten with thanksgiving by the individual and his household. It seemed to be that this was so taken for granted that it really is only kind of peripherally mentioned...see Lev. 7:15, for example.. (I'm quoting from the Amplified again today):
The flesh of the sacrifice of thanksgiving [towdah] presented as a peace offering, shall be eaten on the day that it is offered; none of it shall be left until the morning.
In fact, the passage in Lev. 7 describes thanksgiving offerings in great detail, and then goes on to say that if the sacrifice is not completely eaten in the specified time, it should be burned, and if it is not burned but eaten after that time has elapsed, then the one who brought it shall not be credited with it; it shall not be accepted.
I see in this something pretty amazing. These were poor people who did not have a lot of meat available in their diet; the instruction was to bring a choice animal, sacrifice it ceremonially, and then have a family feast with the bulk of the carcass. It was a designated time for the family to gather, to eat well and enjoy each others company. The direction to consume it immediately not only protected them from food-spoilage ailments but made sure that there were no sly plans to preserve the feast for later and dole it out slowly (I suppose they could've dried the meat into jerky or smoked it to keep it for later); it all had to be eaten...and, if there weren't enough people in the household to eat it, they were encouraged to share it with others. All as part of the thanksgiving ritual.
A portion to God, a portion to His servants...and the rest intended for family, food and fellowship. God's gift back to His people when they praised Him with their thanksgiving offerings.
I have been really surprised lately by the number of folks who have commented to me that their favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I don't necessarily think the Hebrew feasts were in anybody's mind when the American Thanksgiving tradition developed, but Thanksgiving is...or was at one time, anyway... very, very close to the concept.
Give something to help others. Bring your family together. Have a special meal. Thank God for all His Blessings.
Looking forward to it already.
More Thanksgiving references:
Lev. 22:29-30 - And when you sacrifice an offering of thanksgiving [towdah] to the LORD, sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the next day; I am the LORD.
2 Chron. 29:31 - Then Hezekiah said, Now you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings [towdah] into the house of the Lord. And the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings [towdah], and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
2 Chron 33:16 - And he restored the Lord's altar, and sacrificed on it offerings of peace and of thanksgiving [towdah]; and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord the God of Israel.
Ps. 50:14 - Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving [towdah] and pay your vows to the Most High,
Ps. 107: 22 - And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah], and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!
Ps. 116:17 - I will offer to You the sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah], and will call on the name of the Lord.
Jer. 17:26 - And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places round about Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, cereal offerings and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah] to the house of the Lord.
Jer. 33:11 - (There shall be heard again) the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing as they bring sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah] into the house of the Lord, Give praise and thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy and kindness and steadfast love endure for ever! For I will cause the captivity of the land to be reversed and return to be as it was at first, says the Lord.
Jonah 2:9 - But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving [towdah]; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!
11/14/14 - Towdah: Strong's 8426
I had a panicky moment last week when I first looked this up in my Zodhiates lexicon and read:
This fem. noun has its source in yadah (3034). It means an extension of the hand, a confession, a vow; thanks, thanksgiving, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, a type of peace offering, offering praise to God for a sacrifice; a thanksgiving choir or procession who gave thanks in praising God.
I read 'extension of the hand' and thought, 'Oh, no! I mixed them up!'
But when I checked the online listing linked above, I realized that no, I had not mixed them up. Yahdah has the connotation of throwing or casting...fling the hands out, so to speak, while Towdah implies holding out a hand with something in it... a Thanksgiving offering.
The Blue Letter Bible listing states that Towdah is used 32 times in the Old Testament. The King James Scholars translated it as Thanksgiving 18 times, Praise six times, Thanks and Thank offerings three times each, and Confession twice; the translators connected the word with Thanksgiving two-thirds of the instances it appears.
And my memory of past sermon series based on these words agrees...one of the words meant 'thanksgiving.'
If you go back and study the sacrifices that the people were to bring, you'll see that it was not always a burnt offering per se...usually, the animal was ceremonially slaughtered, specific parts of it were burned as an offering (the fat and certain innards...not what was particularly healthy to eat), a portion was set aside as holy for the priests and Levites and their families, and the rest was to be eaten with thanksgiving by the individual and his household. It seemed to be that this was so taken for granted that it really is only kind of peripherally mentioned...see Lev. 7:15, for example.. (I'm quoting from the Amplified again today):
The flesh of the sacrifice of thanksgiving [towdah] presented as a peace offering, shall be eaten on the day that it is offered; none of it shall be left until the morning.
In fact, the passage in Lev. 7 describes thanksgiving offerings in great detail, and then goes on to say that if the sacrifice is not completely eaten in the specified time, it should be burned, and if it is not burned but eaten after that time has elapsed, then the one who brought it shall not be credited with it; it shall not be accepted.
I see in this something pretty amazing. These were poor people who did not have a lot of meat available in their diet; the instruction was to bring a choice animal, sacrifice it ceremonially, and then have a family feast with the bulk of the carcass. It was a designated time for the family to gather, to eat well and enjoy each others company. The direction to consume it immediately not only protected them from food-spoilage ailments but made sure that there were no sly plans to preserve the feast for later and dole it out slowly (I suppose they could've dried the meat into jerky or smoked it to keep it for later); it all had to be eaten...and, if there weren't enough people in the household to eat it, they were encouraged to share it with others. All as part of the thanksgiving ritual.
A portion to God, a portion to His servants...and the rest intended for family, food and fellowship. God's gift back to His people when they praised Him with their thanksgiving offerings.
I have been really surprised lately by the number of folks who have commented to me that their favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I don't necessarily think the Hebrew feasts were in anybody's mind when the American Thanksgiving tradition developed, but Thanksgiving is...or was at one time, anyway... very, very close to the concept.
Give something to help others. Bring your family together. Have a special meal. Thank God for all His Blessings.
Looking forward to it already.
More Thanksgiving references:
Lev. 22:29-30 - And when you sacrifice an offering of thanksgiving [towdah] to the LORD, sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the next day; I am the LORD.
2 Chron. 29:31 - Then Hezekiah said, Now you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings [towdah] into the house of the Lord. And the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings [towdah], and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
2 Chron 33:16 - And he restored the Lord's altar, and sacrificed on it offerings of peace and of thanksgiving [towdah]; and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord the God of Israel.
Ps. 50:14 - Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving [towdah] and pay your vows to the Most High,
Ps. 107: 22 - And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah], and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!
Ps. 116:17 - I will offer to You the sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah], and will call on the name of the Lord.
Jer. 17:26 - And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places round about Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, cereal offerings and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah] to the house of the Lord.
Jer. 33:11 - (There shall be heard again) the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing as they bring sacrifices of thanksgiving [towdah] into the house of the Lord, Give praise and thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy and kindness and steadfast love endure for ever! For I will cause the captivity of the land to be reversed and return to be as it was at first, says the Lord.
Jonah 2:9 - But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving [towdah]; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Season of Praise: Yadah
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
So, ok, wow, I may have jumped right outta the boat into the deep water here.
I'm not even gonna try to describe the maze of the Hebrew lexicon... I will just say that my search for a dictionary/concordance led me to this page, which in turn took me to this listing for Strong's 3034 (Yadah). I dug around a little more and found that I was looking at four different tenses/voices/whatever of Yadah, which result in that particular word being translated in various ways.
The scholars state that it appears a total of 114 times in the Old Testament, and is translated in the King James as 'Praise' 53 times, 'Give thanks' 32 times, 'Confess' 16 times, 'Thank' 5 times, 'Make confession' twice, 'Thanksgiving' twice, and once each as 'Cast', 'Cast out', 'Shoot' and 'Thankful'.
The root of it, per Mr. Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary found listed in teeniny print in the back of the Zodhiates text, means to use (ie, hold out) the hand; to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; espec. to revere or worship (with extended hands). There is also a mention that in one tense it can be translated as wringing hands...as in bemoaning, making confession.
So much information! My head was spinning.
But then I remembered my purpose...studying the words for PRAISE.
So, for today, I've pulled the curtain back enough to show you some of where I've been to dig, but I'm not going there every week. I'll link up the reference, so you can look if you want, but for each of these words I'm going to focus on the aspect of praise that is represented.
Which means we're considering Yadah with the translation given as 'espec. to revere or worship with extended hands.'
I have to admit, worshiping with 'extended hands' was a foreign concept to me until I was in my 30's. It just Wasn't Done in the denomination that I grew up in....at least, not in the years I grew up. But in the late '90's we began venturing outside of the denomination to youth events and conventions that were not affiliated with any particular denomination.
And we found ourselves amongst people who worshiped with extended hands.
It was a paradigm shift.
But I just thought it was a different worship style; aside from the instruction in 1 Timothy to men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, I really didn't know there was a Biblical basis for extending hands.
So here's a smattering of references, all using the Hebrew word yadah (translated as 'praise' in KJV, but other words may be used in other translations) with the background meaning of 'revere or worship with extended hands' (all references here from the Amplified):
And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement, and worshiped and praised [yadah] the LORD, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever. - 2 Chron. 7:3
I will praise [yadah] You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wondrous deeds! - Ps. 9:1
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope you in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise [yadah] Him, my help and my God - Ps. 42:5
I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise [yadah] and give you thanks for ever and ever. - Ps 45:17
Let Heaven (the angels) praise [yadah] Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones (the holy angels) - Ps 89:5
All the kings of the land shall give you credit and praise [yadah] You, O Lord, for they have heard of the promises of Your mouth (which were fulfilled) - Ps 138:4
All Your works shall praise [yadah] You; O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You -- affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise you! - Ps 145:10
O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise [yadah] Your name; for You have done wonderful things, even purposes planned of old and fulfilled in faithfulness and truth. - Is. 25:1
One thing I hadn't noticed before cruising through these verses...the angels are described as worshiping God with a yadah praise (Ps. 89:5).
There is something about a worship that involves extending the hand; it's a little more of a public demonstration than simply speaking; it requires more of a personal commitment/ involvement. A little more boldness.
But here's something totally off the wall -- it's interesting to note that the act of extending hands in such a way has an actual psychological effect on one's attitude; check out this TED talk to see what the research has shown. Now, mind you, praise was not even a consideration in any of that research and it wasn't mentioned at all in the talk, but when I saw her demonstrate the 'posture of power' it struck me at once as a position of praise. If secular research has found that just taking the position of a yadah praise could have so much impact on an individual; what impact would actually adding praise to that position have on one's life and situation?
Could it be that one of the reasons praise involves lifting hands is because it not only honors God but strengthens and encourages the individual?
Wouldn't that be an amazing thing for God to have instilled in us...to be strengthened by the very action of praise?
So, ok, wow, I may have jumped right outta the boat into the deep water here.
I'm not even gonna try to describe the maze of the Hebrew lexicon... I will just say that my search for a dictionary/concordance led me to this page, which in turn took me to this listing for Strong's 3034 (Yadah). I dug around a little more and found that I was looking at four different tenses/voices/whatever of Yadah, which result in that particular word being translated in various ways.
The scholars state that it appears a total of 114 times in the Old Testament, and is translated in the King James as 'Praise' 53 times, 'Give thanks' 32 times, 'Confess' 16 times, 'Thank' 5 times, 'Make confession' twice, 'Thanksgiving' twice, and once each as 'Cast', 'Cast out', 'Shoot' and 'Thankful'.
The root of it, per Mr. Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary found listed in teeniny print in the back of the Zodhiates text, means to use (ie, hold out) the hand; to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; espec. to revere or worship (with extended hands). There is also a mention that in one tense it can be translated as wringing hands...as in bemoaning, making confession.
So much information! My head was spinning.
But then I remembered my purpose...studying the words for PRAISE.
So, for today, I've pulled the curtain back enough to show you some of where I've been to dig, but I'm not going there every week. I'll link up the reference, so you can look if you want, but for each of these words I'm going to focus on the aspect of praise that is represented.
Which means we're considering Yadah with the translation given as 'espec. to revere or worship with extended hands.'
I have to admit, worshiping with 'extended hands' was a foreign concept to me until I was in my 30's. It just Wasn't Done in the denomination that I grew up in....at least, not in the years I grew up. But in the late '90's we began venturing outside of the denomination to youth events and conventions that were not affiliated with any particular denomination.
And we found ourselves amongst people who worshiped with extended hands.
It was a paradigm shift.
But I just thought it was a different worship style; aside from the instruction in 1 Timothy to men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, I really didn't know there was a Biblical basis for extending hands.
So here's a smattering of references, all using the Hebrew word yadah (translated as 'praise' in KJV, but other words may be used in other translations) with the background meaning of 'revere or worship with extended hands' (all references here from the Amplified):
And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement, and worshiped and praised [yadah] the LORD, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever. - 2 Chron. 7:3
I will praise [yadah] You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wondrous deeds! - Ps. 9:1
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope you in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise [yadah] Him, my help and my God - Ps. 42:5
I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise [yadah] and give you thanks for ever and ever. - Ps 45:17
Let Heaven (the angels) praise [yadah] Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones (the holy angels) - Ps 89:5
All the kings of the land shall give you credit and praise [yadah] You, O Lord, for they have heard of the promises of Your mouth (which were fulfilled) - Ps 138:4
All Your works shall praise [yadah] You; O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You -- affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise you! - Ps 145:10
O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise [yadah] Your name; for You have done wonderful things, even purposes planned of old and fulfilled in faithfulness and truth. - Is. 25:1
One thing I hadn't noticed before cruising through these verses...the angels are described as worshiping God with a yadah praise (Ps. 89:5).
There is something about a worship that involves extending the hand; it's a little more of a public demonstration than simply speaking; it requires more of a personal commitment/ involvement. A little more boldness.
But here's something totally off the wall -- it's interesting to note that the act of extending hands in such a way has an actual psychological effect on one's attitude; check out this TED talk to see what the research has shown. Now, mind you, praise was not even a consideration in any of that research and it wasn't mentioned at all in the talk, but when I saw her demonstrate the 'posture of power' it struck me at once as a position of praise. If secular research has found that just taking the position of a yadah praise could have so much impact on an individual; what impact would actually adding praise to that position have on one's life and situation?
Could it be that one of the reasons praise involves lifting hands is because it not only honors God but strengthens and encourages the individual?
Wouldn't that be an amazing thing for God to have instilled in us...to be strengthened by the very action of praise?
Friday, October 31, 2014
Season of Praise: Intro
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
When I saw how exactly the weeks line up with words...well, praise is the topic on Fridays here for the rest of the year. ;-)
Now, this is probably not going to be new revelation for most of the folks who stop by. I know we've had at least two different sermon series at our church on the Seven Hebrew Words for Praise; I rather expect we're not unique in that.
So consider it a review....just because I want to focus on praise for a bit.
I have a Zodhiates Complete Word Study Old Testament that I'm probably going to be using for much of my resourcing...I *think* we have a Strong's concordance around someplace; I'll use that if I'm right and if I can find it...or, if I'm wrong and I can't...I'll probably use an online concordance.
I forget we have the world at our fingertips sometimes.
Anyway, the syllabus as I've laid it out goes something like this:
Nov. 7 - Yadhah (Strong's 3034)
Nov. 14 - Towdah (Strong's 8426)
Nov. 21 - Zamar (Strong's 2167)
Nov. 28 - Barak (Strong's 1288)
Dec. 5 - Shabach (or Shavach, as it is rendered in my Zodhiates; Strong's 7623)
Dec. 12 - Tehillah (Strong's 8416)
Dec. 19 - Halal (Strong's 1984)
I've seen other lists here and there that have other words on them, but I think these are the seven most common; certainly they are the ones that I have encountered the most.
And...that arrangement...we begin with hands, mention knees, and finish with voice. More or less, anyway. ;-)
When I saw how exactly the weeks line up with words...well, praise is the topic on Fridays here for the rest of the year. ;-)
Now, this is probably not going to be new revelation for most of the folks who stop by. I know we've had at least two different sermon series at our church on the Seven Hebrew Words for Praise; I rather expect we're not unique in that.
So consider it a review....just because I want to focus on praise for a bit.
I have a Zodhiates Complete Word Study Old Testament that I'm probably going to be using for much of my resourcing...I *think* we have a Strong's concordance around someplace; I'll use that if I'm right and if I can find it...or, if I'm wrong and I can't...I'll probably use an online concordance.
I forget we have the world at our fingertips sometimes.
Anyway, the syllabus as I've laid it out goes something like this:
Nov. 7 - Yadhah (Strong's 3034)
Nov. 14 - Towdah (Strong's 8426)
Nov. 21 - Zamar (Strong's 2167)
Nov. 28 - Barak (Strong's 1288)
Dec. 5 - Shabach (or Shavach, as it is rendered in my Zodhiates; Strong's 7623)
Dec. 12 - Tehillah (Strong's 8416)
Dec. 19 - Halal (Strong's 1984)
I've seen other lists here and there that have other words on them, but I think these are the seven most common; certainly they are the ones that I have encountered the most.
And...that arrangement...we begin with hands, mention knees, and finish with voice. More or less, anyway. ;-)
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