Transformation Contemporary Service

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11:00 am in the Christian Life Center

Sermon Archive

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2a

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Through this informal service, we seek to lift high the name of Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father. Contemporary praise and worship music is led by the Transformation Praise Band. The worship is active and participatory and all ages are welcomed. The Bible-based messages are delivered by the Rev. Allen Richburg, Minister of Evangelism at McEachern. Services conclude with a time of prayer with and for others. Please visit us this Sunday!

For more information about "Transformation", contact Rev. Allen Richburg.

Click here to hear live recordings of the Transformation Band.

Seven Hebrew Words for "Praise"

What is the correct way to Praise God? The Biblical way, of course!

Just as the Eskimos of North America have more than 20 words for "snow", the Hebrews in the Old Testament had many words to describe the act of worshiping God. Depending on your cultural background and upbringing, you may have a specific, fixed idea of what praising God should look like. But what does the Bible say? The word "praise" in the English bible is actually seven different words in the Hebrew Old Testament... each word describing a different aspect of worship. Here they are and a few examples of how they are used:

"Halal"
Halal is a primary Hebrew root word for praise. Our word "hallelujah" comes from the base word. It means, "to be clear, to shine, to boast, show, to rave, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish."

Psalms 149:3 Let them praise (halal) his name in the dance: let them sing praises with the timbrel and harp.
Psalms 150:1 Praise (Halal) the Lord! Praise (Halal) God in his sanctuary; Praise (Halal) him in his mighty expanse.
Psalms 113:1 Praise (Halal) ye the Lord, praise (halal) o ye servants of the Lord, praise (halal) the name of the Lord.

"Yadah"
Yadah is a verb with a root meaning "the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship with extended hand."

Genesis 49:8 "Judah, your brother will praise (yadah) you; your hand, will be on the neck of your enemies."
2 Chronicles 20:21 "Give thanks (yadah) to the Lord, for his lovingkindness is everlasting."
Psalms 107:15 "Oh that men would praise (yadah) the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men."
Isaiah 12:4 "Give thanks (yadah) to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted."

"Towdah"
Towdah comes from the same principle root word is yadah. Towdah literally means, "an extension of the hand in adoration or acceptance." By way of application in the Psalms and elsewhere; it is used for thanking God for "things not yet received" as well as things already received.

Psalms 50:23 "Whoso offereth praise (towdah) glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."
Psalms 50:14 "Offer unto God praise (towdah) and pay thy vows unto the Most High."

"Shabach"
Shabach means, "to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph."

Isaiah 12:6 "Cry aloud and shout (shabach) for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Psalms 145:4 "One generation shall praise (shabach) thy works to another and declare thy mighty acts."
Psalms 47:1 "O clap your hands, all peoples; shout (shabach) to God with the voice of joy or triumph.)"

"Barak"
Barak means "to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration."

Psalms 34:1 "I will bless (barak) the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
1 Chronicles 29:20 "Then David said to all the assembly, "Now bless (barak) the Lord your God." And all the assembly blessed (barak) the Lord, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the Lord and to the king."
Psalms 95:6 "O come let us worship and bow down, to bless God as an act of adoration."

"Zamar"
Zamar means "to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments."

Psalms 21:13 "Be exalted O Lord, in Thine own strength, so will we sing and praise (zamar) Thy power.
Psalms 57:8-9 "Awake my glory; awake harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord among the peoples; I will sing praises (zamar) to Thee among the nations."
1 Chronicles 16:9 "Sing to Him, sing praises (zamar) to Him; speak of all His wonders."

"Tehillah"
Tehillah is derived from the word halal and means "the singing of halals, to sing or to laud; perceived to involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit.

Psalms 22:3 "Yet Thou are holy, o Thou who art enthroned upon the praises (tehillah) of Israel."
Psalms 33:1 "Rejoice in the Lord, o ye righteous, for praise (tehillah) is comely for the upright."
Isaiah 61:3 "To grant to those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise (tehillah) instead of the spirit of fainting. So they shall be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and that He may be glorified."