50 WAYS TO PRAISE GOD ISBN 13: 978-1-939610-64-5 ISBN 10: 1-939610-64-8 Copyright Š 2014 by Philip Derber 122 East Broadway St. Frankfort, KY 40601 Published by: Times of Refreshing Publishing 122 East Broadway St. Frankfort, KY 40601 502-875-7886 Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the Publisher. All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
50 WAYS TO PRAISE GOD by Dr. Philip D. Derber
Introduction
O
ur God is worthy to be praised! This praise handbook is a collection of different Biblical ways to praise our awesome God. I'm not, nor do I claim to be, a Hebrew language scholar; but I do know how to read and look things up. I'm sure there may be more ways to praise God than the fifty ways that I have discovered, but most churches I have visited don’t use more than three or four of them. I'm not suggesting that to praise God correctly one must do all fifty praise methods listed in this handbook. But I am saying that before someone accuses someone else of going overboard in praise we need to understand what the Scriptures say about how praise may be done. I have been a pastor many years now, long enough to know you always will have those who want to show off their dancing skills. However, I have always
found that those praising through the flesh end up being outshined by the true praises of those who are pressing into God. They either come in line to the true purpose of praise or they go find another church in which to strut their stuff. Many of these Hebrew words of praise are similar in definition, and some are even a combination of praise actions, but they are all different Hebrew words of praise. I have arranged them alphabetically for ease to the one who may understand Hebrew, or for those using this as a teaching manual. With each of the fifty ways to praise I first give the Hebrew word in bold italics with a brief definition underlined. Then I have added no more than three verses in italics; and where that very Hebrew word of praise is used in the Scripture verses, I have highlighted it in bold italics for further research. May God richly bless your study of praise and also your times of praise to
Him with His glorious presence more and more.
#01 Alats to jump for joy, be joyful But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalms 5:11 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalms 9:2 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Psalms 68:3
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#02 Alaz to jump for joy, exult, rejoice The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. Psalms 28:7 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. Psalms 68:4 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Psalms 149:5
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#03 Anah to begin to speak, testify I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. Psalms 3:4 For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. Psalms 38:15 I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. Psalms 118:21
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#04 Barak to kneel or bow, to give reverence to God as an act of adoration I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalms 95:6 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalms 100:4
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#05 Calal to mound up, exalt, extol, raise up Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. Psalms 68:4 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. Proverbs 4:8 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. Isaiah 62:10
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#06 Caphar to score with a mark, to inscribe, to celebrate, tell That I may shew forth all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in Thy salvation. Psalms 9:14 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Psalms 79:13 This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise. Isaiah 43:21
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#07 Chagag to dance in a circle, to march in a sacred procession And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. I Samuel 30:16 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalms 42:4
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Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. Nahum 1:15
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#08 Chuwl to twist or whirl in a dance And the children of Benjamin did so; they took enough wives for their number from those who danced, whom they caught. Then they went and returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them. Judges 21:23 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalms 37:7 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth. Psalms 96:9 9
#09 Dagal to flaunt, to raise a flag, set up with banners We will rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Psalms 20:5 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. Song of Solomon 6:4 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Song of Solomon 6:10
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#10 Gadal to cause to be large in honor, lift up, magnify Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34:3 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour My righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Psalms 35:27 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. Psalms 70:4
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#11 Giyl to spin around rejoicing The king shall joy in Thy strength, O LORD; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice. Psalms 21:1 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalms 32:11 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
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#12 Halal to boast, to be clamorously foolish about your adoration of God You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! Psalms 22:23 In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Selah Psalms 44:8 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. Psalms 63:5
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#13 Hilluwl a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord. Leviticus 19:24 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. Judges 9:27
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#14 Kabad to be numerous, rich, weighty in honor and glory Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him, all ye the seed of Israel. Psalms 22:23 And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. Psalms 50:15 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. Psalms 86:9
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#15 Kabowd splendor, glory and honor Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Psalms 29:1 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Psalms 66:2 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Psalms 96:8
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#16 Kara to bend the knee, to prostrate, bow down low All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him: and none can keep alive his own soul. Psalms 22:29 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalms 95:6 I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Isaiah 45:23
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#17 Karar to dance and whirl Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. II Samuel 6:14 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. II Samuel 6:16
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#18 Macha to strike the hands together, clap Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord. Psalms 98:8 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
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#19 Machowl a round dance Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladnes. Psalms 30:11 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. Psalms 149:3 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Psalms 150:4
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#20 Machowlah a dance company, dances Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Exodus 15:20 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, 21
singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. I Samuel 18:6
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#21 Massa a burden, especially a singing prophecy, song, or tribute For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Psalms 38:4 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. Proverbs 31:1 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. I Chronicles 15:22
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#22 Mizmowr instrumental music A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? Psalms 15:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Psalms 100:1
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#23 Nagan to beat a tune with the fingers, to play a stringed instrument Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalms 33:3 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. Psalms 68:25 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. Isaiah 23:16
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#24 Nasa to lift, exalt, extol Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy holy oracle. Psalms 28:2 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalms 63:4 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. Psalms 134:2
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#25 Paras to lay open, spread out, stretch out I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Psalms 143:6 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. II Chronicles 6:13 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one 27
shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house. II Chronicles 6:29
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#26 Patsach to break out in joyful sound, break forth into a loud noise Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalms 98:4 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel. Isaiah 44:23 Sing, O barren, thou that not bear; break forth singing, and cry aloud, that didst not travail 29
didst into thou with
child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:1
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#27 Pazaz to spring and leap Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. II Samuel 6:16
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#28 Qowl to call aloud with a voice or sound I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. Psalms 3:4 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. Psalms 118:15
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#29 Ragad to stump, spring about wildly for joy aloud A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart. I Chronicles 15:29 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a 33
flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Joel 2:5
#30 Ranan to creak, to emit a sound of triumph, to shout aloud for joy But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. Psalms 5:11 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Psalms 33:1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Psalms 98:4 34
#31 Rananah a shout for joy, singing, triumphing My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips. Psalms 63:5 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence withsinging. Psalms 100:2
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#32 Rinnah a shrill sound, rejoicing, shouting, triumph, singing Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalms 107:22 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. Psalms 61:1 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 36
Psalms 126:6
#33 Ruwm to raise up high, exalt I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. Psalms 66:17 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34:3 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. Psalms 99:9
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#34 Ruwa to split the ears with sound, blow an alarm, make a joyful noise So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap 38
your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalms 47:1 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. Psalms 65:13
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#35 Samach to brighten up and be gleeful, cheer up, be glad Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalms 16:9 O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalms 90:14 For Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. Psalms 92:4 40
#36 Sasown cheerfulness, welcome Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Psalms 119:111 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalms 45:7 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of 41
salvation.
Isaiah 12:3
#37 Shabach to address in a loud tone, a loud adoration, a shout of triumph Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Psalms 63:3 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise. Psalms 106:47 One generation shall praise Your works to another, and 42
shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalms 145:4
#38 Shachah to prostrate in homage to the royalty of God, fall down flat. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalms 29:2 All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name." Selah Psalms 66:4 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy. Psalms 43
99:5
#39 Shaown uproar as a rushing noise with pomp The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. Isaiah 24:8 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to His enemies. Isaiah 66:6
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#40 Shebach adore, praise, to adulate I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Daniel 2:23 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are 45
truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase. Daniel 4:37
#41 Shiyr strolling minstrelsy, singing man or woman I will sing unto the LORD, because He hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalms 13:6 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalms 33:3 I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten 46
strings I will sing praises to You. Psalms 144:9
#42 Suws to be bright, cheerful, and glad And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalms 35:9 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Psalms 68:3 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil. 47
Psalms 119:162
#43 Tahillah sing a hymn, a new song of spontaneous praise I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 He has put a new song in my mouth even praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. 48
Psalms 40:3 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints. Psalms 149:1
#44 Taqa to clatter, slap hands together, blow a trumpet O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalms 47:1 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Psalms 81:3 49
#45 Taruwah joy or a battle cry And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Psalms 27:6 Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud 50
noise.
Psalms 33:3
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Psalms 47:5
#46 Towdah an extension of the hand, a choir of worshipers, thanksgiving Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Psalms 50:14 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalms 69:30
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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalms 100:4
#47 Yadah to revere or worship with extended hands Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Psalms 33:2 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to 52
Your name.
Psalms 18:49
I will praise Thee for ever, because Thou hast done it: and I will wait on Thy name; for it is good before Thy saints. Psalms 52:9
#48 Zamar to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument Be Thou exalted, LORD, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power. Psalms 21:13 I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to 53
You.
Psalms 144:9
Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. Psalms 149:3
#49 Zamiyr a song to be accompanied by instrumental music Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. Psalms 95:2 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. Psalms 119:54 54
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:12
#50 Zimrah a musical piece, song to be accompanied by an instrument Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Psalms 81:2 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. Psalms 98:5 For the LORD shall comfort 55
Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3
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