What does “hallelujah” mean?
It’s in songs, sermons and celebrations. But what does “hallelujah” actually mean?
“Hallelujah” is a Hebrew phrase that means “Praise the LORD!” It joins two words: hallelu, “all of you, praise,” and Yah, a short form of God’s personal name. It is a call to everyone to praise God. It appears again and again in the Psalms, and in Revelation, a great multitude in heaven shouts it when God defeats evil: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6). Hallelujah is an invitation and a celebration: everybody, praise God!
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Heaven roared it
John heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude, like rushing waters and loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and celebrate and give Him the glory” (Revelation 19:6–7). Evil had fallen, and the wedding of the Lamb had come. The last hallelujahs in the Bible are a celebration that God wins.
Where it shows up
The Psalms, especially Psalms 146–150, which begin and end with it. Psalm 150 ends the whole book with, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!” And Revelation 19, where it is the song of heaven.
Praise in hard times
Hallelujah isn’t only for good days. Paul and Silas sang praise in prison at midnight (Acts 16:25). Praising God in the dark is declaring He is still God, still good and still in control.
What the Bible says
- 01
The Lord God Almighty reigns.
“After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.” And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!” And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”
Revelation 19:1–7 - 02
Everything that has breath.
Psalm 150 - 03
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
“Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
Psalm 146:1–2 - 04
From the rising of the sun.
“Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore. From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.”
Psalm 113:1–3 - 05
Praise at midnight.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
Acts 16:25 - 06
A sacrifice of praise.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.”
Hebrews 13:15
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Read Psalm 150 out loud today. Then name three things you can praise God for, even in a hard season.
Common questions
Is “alleluia” the same as “hallelujah”?
Yes. Alleluia is the same word, spelled the way it came through Greek and Latin.
Is it disrespectful to use “hallelujah” casually?
It is a word of praise to God. Use it with meaning.
What is the difference between praise and worship?
Praise celebrates what God has done; worship honors who He is with your whole life. They flow together.
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