But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
(Psalm 22:3)
In the Old Testament, we see several references to praise in the Psalms. In the English Bible, only the word “praise” is used. However, in the Hebrew Bible, several different words are used for praise.
In Psalm 148, we are commanded to praise the Lord. In Hebrew, the word used is “halal”. This is a praise that is scripted; it has a prominent place in our expression of adoration to the Lord. Another verse on praise that is familiar to many of us is Psalm 22:3, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Here, the word used for praise is “tehillah” in Hebrew. This is a praise that is not scripted but spontaneous; it is a praise that is an outcome of our experience with the Lord and that overflows from our relationship with Him.
It is on this “tehillah” that God sits as One who is enthroned. He also sits as a judge to settle a matter. When our praise to God is not out of compulsion or scripted, but spontaneous, unscripted, overflowing from our intimacy with Him, we will experience His power and vindication on our behalf. This week, let us make room in our lives for times of spontaneous praise to the Lord. As we “tehillah” the Lord, we will experience Him as One who sits enthroned and as One who administers justice on our behalf.
This week, may our declaration be, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise (“tehillah”) unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3).
Scripture: Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. (Psalm 17:2)