תְּהִלָּה (te.hil.lah)
te.hil.lah
praise
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun tehillah denotes praise as a concrete act, often referring to a song or hymn of adoration offered to God. Derived from the root halal, which means to boast or shine, it captures the idea of public acclaim and renown. In Scripture, it is not merely an internal feeling but a vocal expression of gratitude for God’s qualities and deeds, as seen when Psalm 145:1 opens with "I will extol you, my God and King." The word appears frequently in Psalms, where it labels songs of thanksgiving and general public worship.
Its usage extends beyond the act of praising to include the object of that praise. In passages like Jeremiah 33:9, tehillah describes Jerusalem as a name of praise, highlighting God’s glory displayed through His people. This dual sense reflects how Hebrew thought links the praiser and the praised; the reputation of God is made known through the community’s response. Translators typically render it "praise" or "praises," preserving its focus on the visible and audible testimony of faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tehillah points to praise as a concrete act, often taking the form of a song or hymn offered to God. It is not just an internal feeling but a vocal expression of gratitude for who God is and what He has done. This public acclaim reflects a deep trust in His character and deeds, inviting others to join in the celebration.
In passages like Psalm 145:21, the psalmist declares that his mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh. This shows how Hebrew thought links the praiser with the praised; our response makes God’s glory known to the world. When we offer thanks, we participate in a long tradition of worship that honors His name.
Understanding tehillah helps us see praise as a tangible part of daily life. It is a way to acknowledge God’s presence and power in our circumstances. By expressing gratitude openly, we align our hearts with the community of faith and reflect His goodness to those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- praise9×
- praise/ his7×
- praise/ your4×
- praise/ my3×
- and/ praise3×
- in/ praise/ your2×
- and/ praise/ my2×
- and/ praise/ his2×
- and/ <into>/ praise2×
- [the] praises of2×
- [the] praise of2×
- <into>/ praise2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּהִלָּתֽ/וֹ\׃4×
- תְּהִלָּתֶֽ/ךָ\׃3×
- תְּהִלַּ֣ת2×
- תְּ֝הִלָּת֗/וֹ2×
- תְהִלָּֽה\׃2×
- לִ/תְהִלָּ֣ה2×
- וּ/תְהִלָּתִ֖/י2×
- וּ/תְהִלָּת֖/וֹ2×
- בִּ/תְהִלָּתֶֽ/ךָ\׃2×
- תְּהִלֹּ֣ת1×
- תְּהִלָּתֶ֑/ךָ1×
- תְּהִלָּתִ֖/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 145:21
My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
This verse highlights the personal commitment to speak praise, showing how individual worship contributes to the collective glory of God.
-
Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Here, praise is described as something fearful and glorious, emphasizing God’s unique holiness and power over all other powers.
-
Psalms 33:1
Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright.
The psalmist connects praise with righteousness, indicating that this form of worship is fitting for those who walk in integrity.
-
Deuteronomy 10:21
He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
God Himself is called the praise of Israel, showing that He is the ultimate source and object of all true adoration.
-
Psalms 147:1
Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
This opening verse encourages singing praises, framing worship as a pleasant and fitting response to God’s creative work.