The Vocabulary of Worship

Some of you have commented that even though you've been around "church" or "God" for a while, you've never really understood some of the language. So, this past Sunday we spoke about some of the words we say but often do not know what they mean...

Hallelujah - Boasts of the Lord and His attributes (Hebrew)
Only found in Revelation regarding the worship of God in heaven. Translated “Praise the LORD” in Psalms.

Rev. 19:1 (NIV)
After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,…


Abba – Intimate and Relational (Aramaic)
Literally, “da-da” as the first sounds a baby usually makes.

Mark 14:35-36 (NLT)
He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. [36] "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

Galatians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.


Hosanna – Declaration or a cry for triumphant deliverance (Hebrew)
Asking “Save us” or “help us”: “we pray”. Welcoming the rescue of God from our current trial.

Matthew 21:9 (NIV)
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

Maranatha – Celebrates Christ's coming, His coming again or His Kingdom (Aramaic)
“Come, O LORD” Inviting the Lord to be present and take up the space left by those who are rejecting Him.

1 Cor. 16:22 (NIV)
If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

1 Cor. 16:22 (Message)
If anyone won't love the Master, throw him out. Make room for the Master!

Amen – Centered on Communion, the Cross, and/or the finished work of Jesus (Hebrew)
“So be it” – “Go for it God!” We agree, believe, and join in Your work.

1 Cor. 16:24 (NIV)
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Rev. 19:4 (NIV)
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

"Amen, Hallelujah!"

Grace and Peace,

Troy