Provoking the Blessings of Yahweh using 7 biblical principles of praise.
Quite a great deal was written about “praise in the Book of Psalms, The whole of Chapter 147, 148, 149 and 150 were replete with exhortations to praise Yahweh our Maker. Chapter 147 opened up thus; (in the Hebrew text) “Hallelu-yah”, (Halleluyah) means “praises ye Yah or praise ye Yahweh in Hebrew Language.
It went further to say; “….Kiy tov zam’rah Elohaynu”, meaning “for it is good to sing praises unto our Elohim!”
Let us dwell more on this emphasis, “…..it is good to sing praises unto our Elohim.” We don’t need to be reminded that it is good to sing praises unto our maker or to praises our creator, do we?
The evidences and reasons abound all around us and manifested in our daily life.
Moreover, why is it so good to praise Yahweh our maker?
THE BENEFITS OF PRAISE
Praise is the cheapest, the easiest way to blessings and prosperity abundance and plenty, health and victory “Let the people praise thee, oh Yahweh, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase, and Elohim, even our Elohim shall bless us. Yahweh shall us and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him” (Ps. 67:5-61).
It is natural to praise Yahweh when he has blessed you, prospered you or given you victory. But it is more effective to praise Him before your blessing manifests and before your prosperity from whence victory is gotten.
You don’t wait till it manifests before you praise Him. This is because praise provokes increase, prosperity, blessings and victory. In 2nd Chronicles chapter 20, when the allied force came against Jehoshaphat (Yehoshaphat), it was praises that procured them victory.
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto Yahweh, and that should praise the beauty of His (Qadoshah) set-apartness, esteem, majesty as they went out before the army, and to say, Hallelu-Yah; for his mercy endureth forever.
And when they began to sing and praise, Yahweh set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten “(2 Chron. 20:21-22).
Even in human affairs, when one is praised, he is usually motivated to do more than he ordinarily could do.
ESTABLISHING PRAISE AS A CONSTANT WAY OF LIFE
As we learn more of Yahweh’s providence,mercy, love and care in dealings with us, we naturally see the need to establish praise as a constant way of life. By this, we would be fulfilling a vital aspect of Bible prophecy.
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old? Be4hold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth my praises” ( Isaiah 43:18-21).
“Oh come, let us sing unto Yahweh: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with Psalms” (Psalms 95:1-2). Now we know that Yahweh is very interested in praises. He formed a people for Himself – a people to praise Him! A people to show forth His praise. We read that, “… “He dwells in the praises of His people Israel…” (Psa 22:3).
He makes ways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. He gives water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. He gives drinks to His people-His chosen when He is praised.
When there is lack, and where there is lack (Wilderness/desert), He supplies plenty and abundance when He is praised.
He wants His people to praise Him, this is why He calls them a chosen generation to declare His praises.
“This shall be written for the generation to come, and the people which shall be created shall praise Yah.
For He hath looked down from His sanctuary: from heaven did Yahweh behold the earth.
To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to lose those that are appointed to death.
To declare the Name of Yahweh in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh “(Psalm 102-18-22), Here again the Scripture speaks about a people created to praise Yahweh, to declare the Name of Yahweh in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem (Yarushalayim). Yahweh has not told us to praise and worship Him because it flatters His vanity to have people praise Him. The Almighty has no need of our worship. He could just forget us, and we would be extinct.
But like the fish needs water in which to live, so you and I need praise and worship in which to live.
Praise is an integral part of the true worship and our relationship with our Creator. There is yet a great lot for us to know about praise and establishing praise as a constant way of life C.S. Lewis wrote, “Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible”.
THE POWER OF PRAISE
Praise brings down the presence of Yahweh amidst His people – Psalm 22:3
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house, even the house of Yahweh; was filled with cloud; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the splendor of Yahweh had filled the house of Yahweh.” (2 Chron. 5:13-14).
The presence of Yahweh attracted to the praises of His people. He fights our battles for us when we give all the time to praise Him, and to praise the beauty of His majesty (2 Chron. 20: 21-22). When we praise Him and exalt Him in praise; the walls of Jericho will fall. Anything standing on our way to success, victory or progress will fall down, Barriers and obstacles will be shattered, we will match in to possess our possession. The barren will give birth to seven children. The earth will yield her increase. The wilderness and the desert will become a fruitful land That Goliath coming against you will be stricken down.
There will be earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison where the enemy has locked you will be shaken: and the fetters and bands of the enemy binding you will be loosed, (Acts 16:25-30).
UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLES
We need to understand the principles of praise at a broader spectrum.
When we look at the word “praise” as we have it translated in English language, our understanding of this very important principle is limited. But if we look at it from the point of the original source of the translations i.e. The Hebrew language, our knowledge and understanding will be truly deepened and blessed by the richness of this principle.
On this, we do well to consult the original language by which the Scriptures were written, that is the Hebrew Language.
There is only one word for “praise” in the English language. But in the Hebrew language there are at least seven different words which are translated “praise”.
In other to expand our understanding on this discussion, and also to bring everyone into a deeper participation of the beauty and benefits of praise, we would take our time to give a concise definition of the “Seven Principles of Praise” in Hebrew language.
A good understanding of this will help us see the need for establishing “praise” as a constant way of life.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES.
The seven principles of praise in the Scripture which were often incorrectly (I would say) translated “Praise” in the English language are as follows:
1. YADAH
2. TODAH
3. HALLEL
4. SHABACH
5. BARAK
6. ZAMAR
7. TEHILLAH
These words are all in Hebrew language, and a consultation of any good Dictionary of Hebrew language on this will give one a clearer understanding of the principles of praise.
In this study, we are going to consult James strong Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary.
“YADAH”: A definition of this word can be found in (word No. 3034) of the dictionary. It means to use the hand to revere, to worship with extended hands. “Yadah”, to lift up your hands, throw-out your hands in blessing and praising Him (see Psalm 134:1-3).
We often need to get very involved in praise worship where we see hands flying in the air in a celebration of praise and gratitude to our loving heavenly Father. It indicates that all victory belongs to Him, and as KING, He sits on the highest reigning forever. The second word is TODAH”, (word no. 8426). This means to use the hands to bring a thanks offering. Thanksgiving, usually adoration, thanks-offering see Jere. 17:26.
The third is “HALLEL” from (word no. 1984), meaning to sing praises, to make a show, to rave (enthusiastic praise) or to be clamorously foolish in praise. This is what we commonly call “Choruses”, and this principle usually features during congregational worship “Shabach” is the fourth word word no. 7623) it means to shout with a (sound) voice of triumph, a loud shout, to adulate, i.e adore – praise “Make a joyful noise unto Yahweh, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praises. Sing unto Yahweh with the harp, with the harp, and the voice of a Psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet, make a joyful noise before Yahweh, the king” (Psalm 98:4-6).
The fifth principle is “Barak” from (word no 1288) meaning to kneel in adoration; to bless Yahweh in an act of adoration, praise, salute, kneel down. “And Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great Elohim. And all the people answered let it be so (Amin) with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground” (Neh 8:6, see also11chron. 20:18). This is perhaps one of the most neglected among the principles of praise today by the worshipers. They fail to know that the knee was designed “…to kneel before our Maker” (Ps 95:6) in worship, obeisance and adoration to our Creator.
“ZAMAR” is the sixth word. It is found in word no. 2167, which means to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make a music, accompanied by voice; hence to celebrate in in song and music.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with timbre and dance; praise Him with strings instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals!! (Psa. 150:3-5). Those who refuse to use instruments in praise and worship, deny Him this very important aspect of the principles He ordained for His worship. Moreover, they disobey this express injunction of the inspired Word of Yahweh to praise (zamar) Him with musical instruments.
“TEHILLAH” is the last of the seven principles of praise. It is also found in strongs concordance (word no. 8416) It means praise, laudation expressing or giving praise singing our hallel).
A LASTING PRINCIPLE
Therefore, let us learn to praise, and give Him all the honour and adoration, lifting up of our hands unto Him in praise, giving Him all the thanks (in all things) as a sacrifice. To kneel before Him in adoration, worship and celebrate Him in songs and music; because His people are going to be a praising people right from here down to eternity. HALLELU-YAH! (MZ)
BY CC EMEKA
