Hallelujah

{{about||the Leonard Cohen song|Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)

|other uses|Hallelujah (disambiguation)}}

Hallelujah ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|h|æ|l|ə|ˈ|l|uː|j|ə}} {{respell|HAL|ə|LOO|yə}}; {{langx|hbo|הַלְּלוּ־יָהּ|halləlū-Yāh|praise Yah}}) is an interjection from the Hebrew language, used as an expression of gratitude to God. The term is used 24 times in the Tanakh (in the book of Psalms), twice in deuterocanonical books, and four times in the Christian Book of Revelation.

The phrase is used in Judaism as part of the Hallel prayers, and in Christian prayer,{{cite encyclopedia |last=Woods|first=F. H. |editor=James Hastings |editor-link=James Hastings |encyclopedia=A Dictionary of the Bible |title=Hallelujah |url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hastings/dictv2/Page_287.html |year=1902 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |page=287 }} where since the earliest times[https://books.google.com/books?id=goq0VWw9rGIC&dq=hallelujah+Hebrew&pg=PA355 Scott Nash, "Hallelujah" in Mercer Dictionary of the Bible] (Mercer University Press 1990 {{ISBN|978-0-86554373-7}}), p. 355 it is used in various ways in liturgies,{{Cite book | publisher = W. W. Norton & Company | isbn = 978-0-393-06226-7 | last = Alter | first = Robert | title = The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary | year = 2007 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/bookofpsalmstran0000unse }} especially those of the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Orthodox Church,[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZrVDmaXP6HEC&pg=PA6 Andrew McGowan, "Alleluia" in The New Scm Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship] (Hymns Ancient & Modern 2002 {{ISBN|978-0-33402883-3}}), p. 6{{cite book |last1=Fakes |first1=Dennis R. |title=Exploring Our Lutheran Liturgy |date=1994 |publisher=CSS Publishing |isbn=978-1-55673-596-7 |page=68 |language=en}} the three of which use the Latin form alleluia which is based on the alternative Greek transliteration.{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Carlton R. |title=Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal |date=1993 |publisher=Abingdon Press |isbn=978-0-687-09260-4 |page=204 |language=en |quote=Alleluia is the Latin form of Hallelujah, an acclamation formed by joining "Hallelu" (to praise) with the first syllable in a Hebrew name for God, Yahweh.}}

Etymology

Hallelujah is a transliteration of {{langx|he|הַלְּלוּ יָהּ}} ({{transliteration|he|hal[lə]lū yāh}}), which means "praise ye Jah!" (from {{lang|he|הַלְּלוּ}}, "praise ye!"Page H. Kelley, Biblical Hebrew, an Introductory Grammar, page 169. Ethics & Public Policy Center, 1959. {{ISBN|978-0-8028-0598-0}}. and {{lang|he|יָהּ}}, "Jah").[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/252791/hallelujah Hallelujah, also spelled Alleluia], Encyclopædia BritannicaBrown-Driver-Briggs (Hebrew and English Lexicon, page 238)page 403, note on line 1 of Psalm 113, {{Cite book | publisher = W. W. Norton & Company | isbn = 978-0-393-06226-7 | last = Alter | first = Robert | title = The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary | date = 2007 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/bookofpsalmstran0000unse }} The word hallēl ({{lang|he|הַלֵּל}}) in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song. The second part, Yah, is a shortened form of YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah in modern English).

Interpretation

In the Hebrew Bible hallelujah is actually a two-word phrase, hal(le)lu-Yah, and not one word. The first part, hallu, is the second-person imperative masculine plural form of the Hebrew verb hillel ({{lang|he|הִלֵּל}}). The phrase "hallelujah" translates to "praise Jah/Yah",{{cite book |last1=Hardon |first1=John |title=Pocket Catholic Dictionary: Abridged Edition of Modern Catholic Dictionary |date=4 September 1985 |publisher=Crown Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-385-23238-8 |page=13 |language=en |quote=Alleluia. Hebrew hallelujah "praise Yahweh".}}{{cite book |last1=Greenman |first1=Jeffrey P. |last2=Sumner |first2=George R. |title=Unwearied Praises: Exploring Christian Faith Through Classic Hymns |date=2004 |publisher=Clements Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-894667-48-7 |page=84 |language=en |quote=The term "Alleluia" or "Hallelujah" represents a call to praise derived from the Hebrew "Hallelu Yah" (a shortened form for Yahweh), which simply means, "Praise the Lord." It is common for Psalms used in Temple worship to begin and end with "Alleluia". Likewise, in the New Testament's description of heavenly worship, we find "Hallelujah" as the centre of the multitude's "roar" of praise. They sum up creation's praise by singing: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!" (Revelation 19:6-7) Given the prominence of "Alleluia" as a biblical form of praise, it is no surprise that one of the greatest Easter hymns, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" repeats "Alleluia" at the end of each line.}} though it carries a deeper meaning as the word halel in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song, to boast in God.George Fohrer. Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament, under הלל. Walter de Gruyter, 1973. {{ISBN|978-3-11-004572-7}}.Joseph Samuel C.F. Frey, A Hebrew, Latin, and English dictionary, 1815, [https://books.google.com/books?id=TVwUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA254 entry for הלל on page 254]

The second part, Yah, is a shortened form of YHWH, and is a shortened form of his name "God, Jah, or Jehovah". The name ceased to be pronounced in Second Temple Judaism, by the 3rd century BC due to religious beliefs.Harris, Stephen L. Understanding the Bible: a reader's introduction, 2nd ed. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985. page 21. The correct pronunciation is not known. However, it is sometimes rendered in non-Jewish sources as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah". The Septuagint translates Yah as Kyrios (the {{LORD}}, stylized in all-capitals in English),{{Cite web |title=What is the difference between lord, Lord and LORD? {{!}} AHRC |url=https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/god-yhwh/difference-between-lord-Lord-and-LORD.htm |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=www.ancient-hebrew.org}} because of the Jewish custom of replacing the sacred name with "Adonai", meaning "my Lord".

The linguist Ghil'ad Zuckermann argues that the word Hallelujah is usually not replaced by a praise God! translation due to the belief in iconicity: the perception that there is something intrinsic about the relationship between the sound of the word and its meaning.Zuckermann, Ghil'ad (2003), Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew. Palgrave Macmillan. {{ISBN|9781403917232}} / {{ISBN|9781403938695}} [http://www.palgrave.com/br/book/9781403917232]{{rp|62}}

In the Bible

File:Hallelujah,_manuscript_on_parchmen_france.jpg and at the start of Psalm 149 appear above and below the man's left-pointing hand.]]

File:Two times "Hallelujah" - Hallelujah, manuscript on parchmen france (cropped).jpg

{{lang|he|הַלְּלוּיָהּ}} is found in 24 verses in the Book of PsalmsPsalm 104:35; 105:45; 106:1, 48; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1, 9; 115:18; 116:19; 117:2;

135:1, 3, 21; 146:1, 10; 147:1, 20; 148:1, 14; 149:1, 9; 150:1, 6. ({{bibleverse-nb||Psalms|104–106|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Psalms|111–117|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Psalms|135|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Psalms|145–150|HE}}), but twice in Psalm 150:6. It starts and concludes a number of Psalms.

The Greek transliteration {{lang|grc|ἀλληλούϊα}} (allēlouia) appears in the Septuagint version of these Psalms, in {{bibleverse||Tobit|13:17|NRSV}} and {{bibleverse|3|Maccabees|7:13|NRSV}}, and four times in

{{bibleverse||Revelation|19:1–6}}, the great song of praise to God for his triumph over the Whore of Babylon. It is this usage that Charles Jennens extracted for the Hallelujah Chorus in Handel's Messiah. This transliteration is the basis of the alternative Latin transliteration "Alleluia" that is also used by Christians.

Usage by Jews

The word "hallelujah" is sung as part of the Hallel Psalms (interspersed between Psalms 113–150).David E. Garland, Psalms, Volume 5 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary, page 62. In Tractate Shabbat of the Talmud, Rabbi Yose is quoted as saying that the Pesukei dezimra Psalms should be recited daily.[https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.118b?lang=bi Shabbat 118b], Sefaria Psalms 145–150, also known as the Hallel of pesukei dezimra, are included to fulfill this requirement in the liturgy for the traditional Jewish Shacharit (morning) service.Scott-Martin Kosofsky, [https://books.google.com/books?id=TsJ8rQFVnJcC&pg=PA25 The Book of Customs], Harper San Francisco, 2004; pages 25-26. In addition, on the three Pilgrimage Festivals, the new moon and Hanukkah, Psalms 113-118 are recited.Elie Munk, [https://books.google.com/books?id=BskCNUhALp8C&pg=PA129 The World of Prayer, Vol. 2, Revised ed.], Feldheim, Jerusalem, 2007; pages 129-133. The latter psalms are known simply as Hallel with no additional qualification.

{{Bibleverse|Psalms|146:10|He}}, ending with Halleluja, is the third and final biblical quotation in the Kedushah. This expanded version of the third blessing in the Amidah is said during the Shacharit and Mincha (morning and afternoon) services when there is a minyan present.Scott-Martin Kosofsky, [https://books.google.com/books?id=TsJ8rQFVnJcC&pg=PA33 The Book of Customs], Harper San Francisco, 2004; page 33.

Usage by Christians

File:Christian mass singing hallelujah.ogg, singing Hallelujah]]

For most Christians, "Hallelujah" is considered a joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise him. The word "Alleluia", a Latin derivative of the Hebrew phrase "Hallelujah" has been used in the same manner, though in Christian liturgy, the "Alleluia" specifically refers to a traditional chant, combining the word with verses from the Psalms or other scripture. In the Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church, and in many older Protestant denominations, such as the Lutheran Churches, the Alleluia, along with the Gloria in excelsis Deo, is not spoken or sung in liturgy during the season of Lent, instead being replaced by a Lenten acclamation, while in Eastern Churches, Alleluia is chanted throughout Lent at the beginning of the Matins service, replacing the Theos Kyrios, which is considered more joyful.{{cite web|url=http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Why_don't_we_use_alleluias_during_Lent.pdf|title=Why don't we use alleluias during Lent?|year=2013|publisher=Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|language=en|access-date=22 March 2018}} At the Easter service and throughout the Pentecostarion, Christos anesti is used in the place where Hallelujah is chanted in the western rite expressing happiness.

In day-to-day situations, the expressions of "Hallelujah" and "Praise the Lord" are used by Christians as spontaneous expressions of joy, thanksgiving and praise towards God.{{cite book |last1=Meacock |first1=Ron |title=Glimpse of Glory: Understanding Revelation |date=31 August 2022 |publisher=WestBow Press |isbn=978-1-6642-7420-4 |language=en |quote=Hallelujah and “Praise the Lord” have become acceptable spontaneous expressions of joy, thanksgiving, and praise towards God in many Christian denominations.}} In contemporary worship services across denominational lines, the use of these jubilatory phrases require no specific prompting or call or direction from those leading times of praise and singing.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RE4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wykEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7023,223759&dq=spontaneous+hallelujah+praise-the-lord&hl=en At Pipe Organ Pizza, a pipeline for prayers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051757/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RE4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wykEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7023,223759&dq=spontaneous+hallelujah+praise-the-lord&hl=en |date=2016-03-13 }}, Milwaukee Journal, July 12, 1981{{cite web |title=Charismatic Catholicism is alive and well |url=https://cruxnow.com/faith/2014/09/charismatic-catholicism-is-alive-and-well |publisher=Crux |access-date=12 December 2022 |language=en |date=26 September 2014 |quote=The appeal of charismatic prayer “starts with praise and worship,” said Mr. Soares, who is now director of Charismatic Renewal Services for the Archdiocese of Boston. “But as you get deeper, you start to see other things besides just the amen and hallelujah. You see people more rooted in their history.”}} In Methodist worship, "Hallelujah!" is a frequently used ejaculatory prayer.{{cite web|url=http://jesus.org.uk/blog/radical-christian-history/shouting-methodists|title=Shouting Methodists|date=20 January 2007|publisher=Jesus Fellowship|language=en|access-date=3 April 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222082112/https://jesus.org.uk/blog/radical-christian-history/shouting-methodists/|archive-date=22 December 2018}}

In popular culture

In modern English, "Hallelujah" is frequently spoken to express happiness that a thing hoped or waited for has happened.[http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/hallelujah Hallelujah] definition in Macmillan Dictionary An example is its use in the song "Get Happy".

"Hallelujah" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, performed in Hebrew by Milk and Honey, including Gali Atari, for Israel.

Leonard Cohen's 1984 song "Hallelujah" was initially rejected by Columbia Records for lacking commercial appeal, was popularized through covers by John Cale (1991) and Jeff Buckley (1994), achieved "modern ubiquity" after its inclusion in the animated movie Shrek (2001), and reached the Billboard charts upon Cohen's death in 2016.{{cite news |last1=LeDonne |first1=Rob |title='More than a song': the enduring power of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jun/29/hallelujah-leonard-cohen-documentary |work=The Guardian |date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703101529/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jun/29/hallelujah-leonard-cohen-documentary |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |url-status=live }}