Halal (Hebrew): To be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamourously) foolish; to rave; to celebrate-commend, give light, be mad, renowned, shine.
Praise is the English word for halal.
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all His praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!
Psalm 106:1-3
This passage becomes unspeakably powerful by focusing on the meaning of one word: halal. Praise (halal) the LORD! Halal is using myself and my life to shine on Him, illuminating who He is; that I am making a show of Him in a positive way, boasting so much in Him that I become a fool to the world. It is celebrating Who He is, day in and day out, in everyday moments as I give my light to Him, the great God whom I serve.
The command to halal the LORD is immediately followed by another command to give thanks to the LORD. My heart rejoices. How can I not see His hand, His gentle touch, the beauty that He generously gives out daily for my benefit?
How can I halal? How can you? The answer is clear. Easy to write down, perhaps not so easy to do. Verse two tells me that my God does mighty deeds. He is powerful, and His power enables you and I to halal in
housekeeping
messes made by animals, children, husbands, self
dirt, dust, disorder
imperfection
all of the routine tasks that comprise one's day.
HALAL! Lately I have not given my God the halal, the grateful heart that He deserves, but He is so gentle and gracious to pull me back to look at Him and once again see the overwhelming beauty that fills my daily life. Let me share a few halals with you.
A husband who is gracious, generous, forgiving. How he loves like Christ is daily convicting and inspiring.
A sister-in-law who safely delivered a healthy baby boy.
Parents, family, and in-laws who are so loving.
A sweet, rambunctious puppy and a quiet cat
Enough pantry food to last for months- from His hand
A job for my husband- a direct answer to prayer
A wise friend gracing my life from far away
And the list could go on and on!
Halal does not mean to be grateful, but one way that you and I can point to and magnify our God is to be grateful. I can render Him thanks for rejoicing and for heartbreak, for sunny days and for torrential downpours. My halels are more than material things, and I can and certainly should praise Him in any and every situation. This is not always natural, but He can create in me and you a heart of praise that continually turns back to Him in all situations. Let this be the song of my life.
No one can utter all of His mighty deeds or declare all his halal (verse two), but there is higher aim than to use our lives, every mundane moment, each situation our finite minds cannot grasp, to make a show of our God, to point to Him with an unending halal.
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| Our little town |
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| My first homemade wreath |
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| Our mouser |
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| A piano for free! Useful in so many ways |
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| My greatest gift besides my Savior and salvation |
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| An incredible godly woman... truly an answer to prayer |
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| Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD! Psalm 106:48 |
