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.