What an exciting time it is to live in! With a couple clicks of a mouse, you can find a new worship song just about every day. It’s so encouraging to know the that Holy Spirit is loud in the hearts of so many believers. It’s also encouraging when we can read a worship song that was first sung hundreds of years ago by our brothers and sisters in Christ. Take a few minutes to read about the Hallel Psalms, may this bless your day…
The Hallel Psalms
Hallel praise is the name given to the group of Psalms 113-118, which are predominantly psalms of praise. It is called “The Egyptian Hallel” because it was chanted in the temple while the Passover lambs were being slain. It was spoken at other celebratory occasions, such as Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Feast of Dedication.
The leaders would stand before the altar and chant it, verse by verse, while the people would respond by repeating the verses or softly singing hallelujah. This was also most likely the hymn that Jesus and his disciples sung at the end of the Passover supper in the upper room in Jerusalem (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26).
It is so humbling to know that these few verses have been a part of such a rich history of the body of believers! It’s amazing that the same psalms that were chanted and shouted during such sacred events in history are the same psalms that can be a part of our daily lives.
The Hallel psalms are filled with praises to God for his love, faithfulness, compassion, grace and righteousness. They bring a call to worship and encourage the nations to sing praise. What a powerful gift these psalms are! They represent one voice to one God. As you read thru Psalms 113-118, imagine the millions of brothers and sisters that have spoken these words in praise to our Lord.