Desert Springs Community Church

The Word – Halal (Haw-lal)

Halal: to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus, to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively to celebrate; *Strong’s

Causing the omens of boasters to fail, making fools (Halal) out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back and turning their knowledge into foolishness
Isaiah 44:25

So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely (Halal) in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard.
1 Samuel 21:13

From Halal we get the word Hallelujah: Halal (praise) -Yah (Yahweh or Jehovah)

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "HALLELUJAH! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God
Revelation 19:1

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, "Amen. HALLELUJAH!"
Revelation 19:4

Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "HALLELUJAH! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Revelation 19:6

The “Hallal” is Psalm 113-118 which is read by the Jewish people at Passover, Pentecost & Feast of Tabernacles

Praise (Halal) the LORD! Praise (Halal), O servants of the LORD, Praise (Halal) the name of the LORD.
Psalm 113:1


From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised (Halal).
Psalm 113:3

“Praising the Lord is a command. To praise the Lord, we don’t say “Praise the Lord.” We praise the Lord by saying nice things about who Yah, the Lord, is & what He has done, is doing & will do.”
Rabbi Loren

The practical meaning of the word “Halal” is to be so focused on the Lord that we cease to be self-conscious, being completely enraptured in our praise of who our God is and what He has done

Psalm 150 is about “How to Halal”

Psalm 150:1 Praise the LORD! Praise God IN His sanctuary; Praise Him IN His mighty expanse.

Psalm 150:2 Praise Him FOR His mighty deeds; Praise Him ACCORDING TO His excellent greatness.

Psalm 150:3-5 Praise Him WITH trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre; Praise Him WITH timbrel and dancing; Praise Him WITH stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him WITH loud cymbals; Praise Him WITH resounding cymbals.

Psalm 150:6 Let EVERYTHING that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

The Stories – David & the Ark (II Samuel 6); The “Sinner” & Jesus (Luke 7)

Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
2 Samuel 6:16

So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; therefore, I will celebrate before the LORD.
2 Samuel 6:21


The Takeaways:

Focus on God – do not focus on your self-consciousness or lack thereof

Focus on who He is, what He has done

Praise (Halal) Him for His mighty deeds; Praise (Halal) Him according to His excellent greatness.
Psalm 150:2

Praise (Halal) the LORD! Oh, give thanks (Yadah) to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 106:1

Praise (Halal) the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise (Halal) the LORD!
Psalm 117:1-2

Giving can be a part of Halal

And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites…for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks (Yadah) and to praise (Halal) in the gates of the camp of the LORD
2 Chronicles 31:2

Music is an important vehicle of worship

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord
Ephesians 5:19

Praise Him everywhere!