Tag: Shout

Worship inthe Word

I. Reasons Why We Praise – 33:1-5

A. Because it is fitting – vv 1-3

B. Because He is faithful – vv 4-5

In my previous blog, I said this:

We could start by discussing whether the NIV’s translation of the Hebrew word rānah as “sing joyfully” is correct. Other versions translate it as “rejoice” (which conveys the emotion but not the method) or “shout” (which conveys the method, but not the emotion). But that discussion can come later.

I want to look at that issue right now. I looked up the words in the first three verses related to praise, and made a little chart.                                                                                                     

Verse	Strongs #	Hebrew	NIV	ESV	NLT	KJV
1a	7442	ranan	sing Joyfully	shout for joy	shout for joy	rejoice
1b	8416	tehillah	praise	praise	praise	praise
2	3034	yadah	praise	give thanks	praise	praise
3a	7891	shyir	sing	sing	sing	sing
3b	8643	teruw`ah	shout	loud shout	sing with joy	loud noise

You can see how each version translates the Hebrew word or words used in each verse. Although the English versions show eight variations, they generally focus on three actions: sing, shout, and praise—with a couple of exceptions. In verse 2, the ESV renders yadah as “give thanks,” while the NIV, NLT, and KJV use “praise.” For verse 3b, the NLT says “sing with joy,” whereas the other translations highlight a sense of loudness. All versions are consistent with one another in only two verses. In verse 1b, each employs the English term “praise,” and in verse 3a, all utilize the term “sing.” Verse 2 is similar; however, the ESV renders yadah differently.¹

As you can see, there are five different Hebrew words used in these three verses, but they have been translated eight different ways between all four versions. I’d prefer not to spend too much time thoroughly exploring how these words can be translated. Upon reviewing multiple reference sources regarding each term, it becames evident that reasonable arguments exist in support of all of them. I have given the Strong’s #s where you can study further if you have that resource, as well as more extensive reference works that also use the Strong’s numbering system.²

Many of you are scratching your heads by now. Why go to all this trouble? After all, when you boil it down, they are all conveying the same message. Praise should be joyous and often coupled with gusto (i.e., “shout” or “loud”). However, Psalm 33:1-3 should not be used as a prooftext for how worship should be practised. Rather, we can glean principles to apply in our own time and setting.

Worship inWitness

If praise is “fitting” for the “upright,” then it should be done in a fitting manner. Can one praise without joy in their soul? We must distinguish a praise song from a song sung in praise. The term “praise song” has come to refer to a specific style of song. But even those “praise” songs can be sung mindlessly and without joy. It’s not about style but about sincerity.

Take a well-known hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Most Christians can probably sing this without a hymnal or on a screen. They have memorised it by heart, but may lack genuine feeling—a heart meant for praise can also be empty of joy. Even when the words come easily, the heart might remain untouched. Sometimes, a heart can echo with ritual yet never awaken to true delight. And if you ask many Christians to name a praise song, this hymn will most likely not make the list, even if you are more “traditional” in your worship service.

Humans have a natural tendency to categorize. However, classifying songs—much like reciting them mechanically—does not necessarily ensure genuine engagement in the manner intended by the composer. It’s common to ask, “What songs did you sing in church today?” with someone replying, “We sang some great praise songs.” Afterward, they may leave feeling they’ve completed everything: attended the service – check, sang praise songs – check, worshipped – check, and listened to the Word preached – check.

A better question we should ask and answer ourselves is, “Did I sing with a sincere heart of joy and thanksgiving?” If the answer is, “not really,” then we cannot say we “sang a lot of praise songs.” Because the external arrangement of notes or words is meaningless, if we have sung only for our personal pleasure and fulfillment, let us instead pursue an internal attitude of joy directed towards our glorious Lord.

There’s still much to discuss, but I will save it for my next journal entry. I hope to deepen my self-reflection regarding praise, as I also need to address the questions raised earlier.

Worship in Promise, Poem, Prayer, and Praise

^{http://godsbigshow.blogspot.com/2018/06/do-what-lord-say-do-clarence-fountain.html}

Why Do I?

Why is it so

To church, I go?

Is it to know?

Is it to grow?

Is it for show?

Why do I praise

With hands upraised?

A heart ablaze?

A mind amazed?

For others to agaze?

Why do I serve

Without reserve?

Grace undeserved?

Grace filled verve?

To be observed?

Without Measure

Triune God,

Fill me with joy in my soul

That I may praise You with gladness

Even when sorrow would have me faint with sadness

Remind me of Your grace and mercy

Tell me again of Your endless loving-kindness

Enlighten the eyes of my heart, remove its blindness

May this prayer not end with a focus on me

Nor on my personal petitions for self-edification and pleasure

But in You be all my glory and praise, my Lord and God, my Savior, my treasure

~ Amen

Holy, Holy, Holy by Reginald Heber (1826) tune “Nicaea,” by John Bacchus Dykes (1861)

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
   Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
   Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
   Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
   Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
   Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
   Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
   Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
   Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Lyrics: https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Holy_Holy_Holy/

Video to sing by: https://youtu.be/zzM9P_Gqw-s

Below are two videos I discovered while looking for a video for Holy, Holy, Holy. They are two videos sung by the same people, but the first one doesn’t have the lyrics shown while singing. The second one does. The first one is great for sitting back, closing your eyes, listening to the lyrics, and perhaps using your imagination. The second is great if you want to see the actual lyrics in English and Hebrew. Just click on them and they will play. This is a long song (over 11 minutes), but it’s worth listening to!

NOTES & QUOTES :

¹ The Hebrew word yadah, translated as “Give thanks” by the ESV, conveys both Praise and Thanks. Most reference works available to me prefer to translate it as “praise.” One such resource, after discussing one of the meanings of this word, says: (You can skip down to the highlighted sentence if you are not interested in the technical jargon)

Second, this verb was predominantly employed to express one’s public proclamation or declaration (confession) of God’s attributes and his works. This concept is at the heart of the meaning of praise. Praise is a confession or declaration of who God is and what he does. This term is most often translated “to thank” in English versions, but such is not really a proper rendering according to Westermann: In the Old Testament… there is as yet no verb that means only “to thank.” Yadah, which is usually translated as “to thank,” is not used in the Old Testament a single time for an expression of thanks between men. Thus, it is clear from the start that this yadah

cannot be equated with our “to thank,” which can be directed equally to God and to man. In those places in the O.T. where our “thank” as something taking place between men is most clearly found, the verb used is

barak, which does not have the primary meaning of “praise” but means “bless.” 

In view of these facts, it is clear that the O.T. does not have our independent concept of thanks. The expression of thanks to God is included in praise, it is a way of praising. (Westermann, Claus. The Praise of God in the Psalms. Richmond: John Knox Press, 1965, pp, 26-27.) ^{(from Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Copyright © 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)} 

² I use Logos software, which is an excellent resource. Their software packages can be costly and may be more than you need. They offer online subscriptions that are much more affordable. I have the Max Pro subscription, but they also offer lower-priced options that will probably meet all your needs. https://www.logos.com/configure/subscriptions?trackId=191