There are many words in the Old testament translated "praise". I am going to talk in detail about a couple. I have listed them in order from the most frequently used to the least, although all that I talk about in detail are used quite a bit.
Hallal - You can find this word 99 times in the O.T. it means to laud, boast, or celebrate. some of the key passages where you can find this word being used are 1 Chron 16:4, Ps. 56:3, 4, and 10, Ps. 84:4, Ps. 102:18, Ps. 113;3, and Psalm 119:164Below is a table of the rest of the words used in the old testament for praise:Yadah - This word means to worship God with extended hands, to give thanks to God, or to throw out your hands to God. I believe that God loves it when we raise our hands to him. It was obviously of some significance to him in the Old Testament because of all the times this word was used. When we lift our hands to God, it is like giving ourselves away. I like the analogy of the little girl going up to her Daddy when he came home from work, and she throws her hands up at him. This is what we can do to God when we worship Him - our Father. We can extend our hands to him to let him know that we give our life to him, and we couldn't be happier about that! Some key passages of this word are Gen. 29:35, 2 Chron. 20:21, Ps. 9:1, 52:9, 107:8, 15, 21, 31, 139:14, and 145:10.
Barak - This word can mean to kneel, to bless, to salute, but it can also mean to curse (in rare instances, though). Here are the best known references where it means praise: Job 1:21, Ps. 96:2, Ps. 103: 1, 2, 20, 21, 22, Ps. 104:1.
Tehillah - This word means the sinning of "hallals", or to sing in laud. This is in the sense of a mandate to sing to God. It's not merely a request, but a command - "SING TO GOD!" Here are the significant passages where this word are used: Ps 22:3, Ps. 147:1, 2, Ex. 15:11, Deut. 10:21, Deut. 26:19, 1 Chron. 16:35, 2 Chron. 20:22, Neh. 9:5b, 12:46, Isa. 61:3.
Zamar - This word can be found only in poetry. It means to pluck the strings of an instrument, sing and to praise. The significant passages are Judges 5:3, 2 Sam 22:50, Ps. 7:17, 9:2, 11, 18:49, 21:13, 27:6, 30:4, 12, 33:2, 47:6, 7, 57:7, 9, 61:8, 68:4, 32, 71:22, 23, 75:9, 98:4, 5, 101:1, 104:33, 105:2, 108:1, 3, 135:3, 138:1, 144:9, 146:2, 147:7, 149:3, and Isa. 12:5
Todah - This can mean to extend the hands in praise, thanksgiving, or an offering. The best passage for this word is seen in Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank-offerings (todah) honors me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God".
Shabach - This means to shout, or to commend. It is only translated praise a few times, however. This is where they are: Ps. 63:3, 117:1, 145:4, and 147:12.
Hebrew Word English Meaning # of times used relating to Praise
| Gadal | magnify, praise | 6 |
| Gil | Shout, circle in joy | 29 |
| Zakar | remember, acknowledge, praise | 12 |
| Zamir | song | 4 |
| Zimrah | song | 6 |
| Hadah | rejoice | 1 |
| Havah | worship, kneel prostrate | 65!!!! |
| Hul | dance | 1 |
| Haphetz | delight, take pleasure in | 3 |
| Hillul | celebration of thanksgiving (for harvest) | 1 (Lev. 19:24) |
| Yahav | give, ascribe | 7 |
| Kaved | honor, glorify | 12 |
| Karar | dance | 2 |
| Mizmor | psalm | 57 |
| Maha | clap | 1 |
| Mahol | dance (n.) | 5 |
| Maholah | dance (n.) | 2 |
| Neginah | music, song, string music | 8 |
| Nagan | play stringed instrument | 2 |
| Nasa | lift (voice) | 4 |
| Natan | proclaim, strike, give | 4 |
| selal | exalt, sing | 1 |
| Saphar | recount, proclaim | 18 |
| Avar | let resound | 1 |
| Alaz | exult | 6 |
| Alatz | rejoice | 5 |
| Anah | testify (sing) | 1 |
| Paar | boast, glorify | 1 |
| Pazaz | leap | 1 |
| Patzah | burst forth with | 6 |
| Tzahal | shout for joy | 1 |
| Tzavah | cry aloud | 1 |
| Qara | proclaim, call out | 1 |
| Rum | exalt, extol | 8 |
| Rua | shout in triumph | 13 |
| Rinnah | shout of joy | 18 |
| Ranan | shout with joy | 42 |
| Renanah | shout of joy | 2 |
| Raqad | dance, skip about | 1 |
| Sus | rejoice | 10 |
| Sahaq | play, dance | 4 |
| Shavah | glorify, praise | 6 |
| Shir | sing | 31 |
| Shama | proclaim | 10 |
Praise - word study in Greek (New Testament)
Ainesis(n.), Ainos(n.), Aineo(v.) - These words are translated
praise in all their uses, and they correspond to hallel and yadah.
They are used in Luke 2:13, 2:20, 18:43, Matt.21:16, Luke 19:37, 24:53,
Acts 2:47, 3:8-9, Rom. 15:11, Heb. 13:3
Doxa(n.), Doxazo(v.) - They are translated glory and glorify. Our word "doxology" is taken from this word. Here are the passages where these words are used: Matt. 5:16, 9:8, 15:31, Rom. 15:6
Eulogatos, Eulogia - These words mean blessed or praise, and are never used of man - they are only used of God. The passages where these can be found are 2 Cor. 1:3, Eph. 1:3, I Pet. 1:3, James 3:10, Rev. 5:12, 5:13, 7:12.
Exomologeomai - to confess. Passages used are Matt 11:25, Lk 10:21, Rom. 15:9
Humneo, Humnos - "to sing praises" Passages used are Matt 26:30, Mark 14:26, Acts 16:25, Eph. 5:19, and Col. 3:16
Megaluno - "to make great, large or long, or to magnify" Passages used are Luke 1:46 and Acts 19:17
Psallo (v.), Psalmos (n.) - "to sing praise in spiritual ecstasy or to make a melody" It is used four times in the New testament: Rom 15:9, 1 Cor. 14:15, Eph. 1:19, and James 5:13.
Below is a table of the rest of the words used in the new testament for praise:
Greek Word English Meaning # of times used relating to Praise
| Agallio | exult, be glad | 10 |
| Ado | sing | 2 |
| Allomai | leap | 1 |
| Anthomologeomai | praise, thank | 1 |
| Gonupeteo | kneel down | 4 |
| Euphraino | rejoice | 5 |
| Eucharisteo | give thanks | 35 |
| Eucharastos | thankful | 1 |
| Kampto | to bend the knee | 2 |
| Kauchaomai | to boast | 8 |
| Pipto | to fall to the ground | 15 |
| Proskuneo | to fall down and worship | 42!!!! |
| Skirtao | to leap with joy | 3 |
| Sunadomai | to rejoice | 1 |
| Chairo | to rejoice | 28 |
| Charis | thanks, grace | 7 |
| Oda | song | 5 |
| Hasanna | save, Lord | 5 |
I would like to thank Jack Taylor and His book "The Hallelujah Factor" for all the information I have on this page!!!!
