THE PROGRESSION OF PRAISE

Psalm chapter 7








Today we are walking in: The Progression Of Praise








Genesis 22:5

And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, H7812 and come again to you.












WORSHIP










Today we look to the word-WORSHIP- H7812 shachah--to bow down; prostrate oneself before superior in homage; before the Most High in worship













The Torah testifies.........……






Genesis 24:26

And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped H7812 the LORD.






Exodus 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. H7812









Exodus 34:14

For thou shalt worship H7812 no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:









Deuteronomy 8:19

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship H7812 them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.













The prophets proclaim..................









Nehemiah 8:6

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped H7812 the LORD with their faces to the ground.









Nehemiah 9:3

And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped H7812 the LORD their God.









Jeremiah 25:6

And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship H7812 them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.









Zechariah 14:16

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship H7812 the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.












The writings bear witness............






Joshua 5:14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, H7812 and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?






1Chronicles 16:29

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship H7812 the LORD in the beauty of holiness.









2 Chronicles 7:3

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, H7812 and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever









Psalm 66:4

All the earth shall worship H7812 thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.








Chapter 9


THE PROGRESSION OF PRAISE


Praise takes you up the hill of the Most High.


As a boy tending his father’s sheep, David spent many hours playing his harp and singing to the Most High. This evidently put a love in his heart both for Yah and for music. The Book of Psalms, the longest book in the Bible, records many of these songs and prayers that poured from David’s heart. David’s ability to praise Yah is no doubt the primary reason Israel enjoyed a prosperity and security during his years as king that were unequaled throughout the rest of Israel’s history. David knew how to get close to Yah, and Yah’s presence made a great difference in David’s life.


Yah also makes a difference for us when He is near. Sadly, His manifest presence is often absent from our gatherings. We come to beautiful structures but we see no power because the Spirit of Yah is not active among us. This is due in large part because we do not know how to attract Him. We don’t know how to build a throne where Yah can sit in the midst of His people. Oh, we may sing, dance, clap, and go through the rest of the forms and motions that characterize praise, yet we never experience the awesome reality of seeing Yah’s presence manifest among His people.


Why is this? Is Yah reluctant to come to us? Could He who created man so He would have a family prefer to be apart from His children? Of course not! The reason for Yah’s absence is certainly not a matter of disinterest on His part. Disinterest on our part is a much more likely possibility, or at least interest that is limited or short-lived because we do not understand what He wants in our praise.


Praise that reaches Yah takes us beyond the confinement of routines, yet actually follows a pattern or a progression, if you will. This pattern is seen in seven Hebrew words that are used in the Old Testament to describe praise. These seven are certainly not the only words used to command and exemplify praise, but they reveal the essence of what Yah-attracting praise entails. The first of these dimensions or portraits, as we will call them, is todah.


The Seven Dimensions or Portraits of Praise Todah (Towdah)


Todah (Strong’s, H8426; Vine’s, “To Praise”), the first dimension of praise, occurs in the Old Testament 30 times. It is probably the most challenging of the dimensions because it is totally an act of the will. Literally, meaning “an extension of the hand,” todah is a noun form based on the primitive root yadah.


In modern Hebrew todah is preserved as the regular word for “thanks.” In the Bible, it is used in songs of worship and is translated as “praise” (see Ps. 42:4, 50:23, and 56:12 KJV), “thanksgiving” (see Ps. 26:7 and 50:14 KJV; Ps. 69:30; Isa. 51:3), and “giving thanks” (see Neh. 12:27-38), with a particular emphasis on the concept of offering praise or thanksgiving as a sacrifice to Yah (see Ps. 50:14, 50:23, 56:12, 107:22, and 116:17; Jer. 17:26, 33:11; Amos 4:5). This concept of giving an offering or sacrifice to Yah is also seen in that todah is the word used to refer to the thank offerings presented in the Tabernacle (see Lev. 7:12-15; 2 Chron. 29:31, 33:16; Psalm 50:14, 50:23, 56:12). Todah may also mean to “make confession” to Yah concerning sin (see Josh. 7:19; Ezra 10:11).


Thus, todah is the result of a conscious choice that takes us beyond our feelings and preferences. It causes us to praise Yah no matter what is going on in our life and no matter how uncomfortable we are with the forms of praise the Ruach HaQadesh leads us into. In other words, todah is our sacrifice, our offering, that tells Yah we want Him and are willing to make an effort to be with Him.


Yadah


Yadah (Strong’s, H3034; Vine’s, “To Confess” and “To Praise”), the second dimension of praise, not surprisingly has some of the same meanings as todah. Literally, yadah means to use or hold out the hand, or to physically throw a stone or an arrow at or away from something (see Lam. 3:53; Jer. 50:14). In the Scriptures, it refers primarily to extending the hands in reverence or worship. Thus, yadah is the dimension of praise where you begin to take control over your body and your mind.


First used in the story of the birth of Judah, yadah is used primarily in the Book of Psalms. It is translated as to “praise” (see Gen. 29:35; Ps. 7:17; 9:1), to “give thanks” (see 2 Sam. 22:50; 1 Chron. 25:3; Ps. 18:49), to “thank” (see 1 Chron. 16:4; 23:30), and “thanksgiving” (see Neh. 11:17). Overlapping in meaning with other Hebrew words for praise, including halal, yadah is found in the Scriptures primarily in settings of public rituals and worship , particularly where the group of worshipers is renewing their relationship with Yah. Often this occurs in the context of reciting or celebrating Yah’s acts of salvation and in glorifying His name. Rarely is yadah used in the context of individual worship.


Not surprisingly, this praise in public worship is also accompanied by man’s recognition of his unworthiness to receive all Yah’s benefits. Thus, yadah, like todah, may have the meaning of making confession for sin. Hence it is translated “confess” or “confession” some 20 times in the Old Testament (see Lev. 5:5; 16:21; Num. 5:7; Ezra 10:1; Ps. 32:5; Prov. 28:13).


Halal


Halal (Strong’s, H1984; Vine’s, “To Praise”), the third dimension of praise, is derived from a primitive root that means, among other things, “to be clear,” “to shine,” “to make a show,” “to boast,” “to be (clamorously) foolish,” “to rave.”


In the Scriptures, in addition to “p raise,” halal is translated as “commend” (see Gen. 12:15 KJV; Prov. 12:8 KJV), “boast” (see 1 Kings 20:11; Ps. 10:3; 34:2; 97:7), “celebrate” (see Isa. 38:18 KJV), “glory” (see 1 Chron. 16:10; Ps. 105:3; Isa. 41:16), “exult” (see Isa. 45:25), “sing praises” (see 2 Chron. 23:13), and “shine” (see Job 31:26; 41:18 KJV). Since halal is also translated “insane” (see 1 Sam. 21:13), or “fools” and “foolish” (see Job 12:17; Ps. 5:5 and 73:3 KJV; Eccl. 2:2), it suggests a sense of foolishness or abandonment in praise. Therefore, some people won’t praise Yah with halal because they are too dignified. They refuse to look even a little bit foolish in their celebration of Yah.


Found in the Old Testament more than 160 times, halal may also be used in the praise of people, but the more common usage is in praise of Yah—hence, the word


Hallelujah, a Hebrew word from the same root, which is usually translated “Praise the Most High!”


Shabach


Shabach (Strong’s, H7812) is the fourth dimension of praise. It means to “address in a loud voice,” particularly with a sense of triumph. The words used to translate shabach include “glory” and “glorify” (see 1 Chron. 16:35; Ps. 63:3; 106:47), “commend” (see Ps. 145:4; Eccl. 8:15), and “extol” (see Ps. 117:1; 147:12).


I wonder what would happen in our gatherings and our homes if we would truly glorify the Most High with a voice of triumph. Some gatherings are so quiet and dignified that shabach would no doubt shake them up.


When we address the Most High with a loud voice of triumph, we commend Him for His character and nature and command Him to fulfill all He has said He will do. We approach Him with shabach because we want Him to respond to our need.


Zamar


Zamar (Strong’s, H2167; Vine’s, “To Sing”), the fifth dimension of praise, is based on a primitive root that means “to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument” with the sense of playing it or of making music that is accompanied by the voice. Thus, zamar has the connotation of celebration with song and music, and is often found in a parallel structure with shir (Strong’s, H7891), another Hebrew word for singing. Zamar is translated as “sing” (see Ps. 27:6; 30:4; 108:3), “give praise” (see Ps. 57:7 KJV), “sing praises” (see 2 Sam. 22:50; Ps. 47:6; 68:32), “praise” (see Ps. 21:13), “make music” (see Ps. 33:2; 98:5), and “psalms” (see 1 Chron. 16:9 KJV; Ps. 105:2 KJV). Zamar also has the association of praising Yah with instruments (see Ps. 150) and through dance (see Ps. 149:3).


Please note that zamar is the fifth dimension, not the first. You don’t start praise by making music, because music with instruments is to be an extension of your praise, not a creation of it. Praise starts with todah and yadah— thanksgiving—which may be given by everyone, since we all have breath. Let everything that has breath praise the Most High. Praise the Most High (Ps. 150:6).


Perhaps our gatherings are devoid of Yah’s power because we want to start with music, but Yah wants us to start with thanksgiving. This is not to say that thanksgiving may not be given through music, but we must be careful not to expect the musicians and worship leaders to do for us what we need to do for ourselves. Truly, we cannot praise Yah through the thanksgivings of another. Thanksgiving must come from our own grateful heart and be expressed by our own willing lips. This is the only way our celebration through music can be genuine. We have to know that we have something to celebrate before the celebration can happen.


Thanksgiving reminds us whose we are and what He has done for us. This, then, is why we celebrate.


Barak


Barak (Strong’s, H1288; Vine’s, “To Bless”), the sixth portrait of praise, is a primitive root meaning, “to kneel.” By implication, it also means “to bless Yah,” as in an act of adoration (see Ps. 95:6). Barak therefore carries with it a sense of hushed expectancy and often comes when the Ruach HaQadesh begins to minister, filling the praise that has been offered. In this sense, barak is the beginning of Yah’s response in worship. We stop and wait for Yah to do something.


Too often, we never reach this stage because we are so busy talking to Yah that we give Him little or no chance to speak to us. When we do this, we miss the prophecy, tongues, and words of wisdom, encouragement, and edification that He wants to give to us, His beloved children.


PRAISE THAT REACHES Yah REQUIRES LISTENING AS WELL AS SPEAKING.


While barak is often translated as “bless,” particularly in the King James Version (see Gen. 9:26; Deut. 1:11; Jer. 4:2), other English translations use “praise” (see Gen. 24:48; Josh. 22:33; 1 Sam. 25:32; 1 Kings 10:9; Ps. 41:13) when referring to people blessing Yah, and “congratulate” (see 1 Kings 1:47) and “thank” (see Deut. 24:13) when referring to people blessing people. Barak is also used to refer to Yah’s blessing on human beings (see Gen. 1:22; 9:1; Deut. 12:7; Ps. 45:2) and the things they do and need (see Exod. 23:25; Deut. 16:15), and of the blessings given by the priests in Yah’s name (see Deut. 21:5). In a somewhat interesting counterpoint, barak is also used to refer to blasphemy or cursing against Yah (see 1 Kings 21:10,13; Job 1:5).


Tehillah


Tehillah (Strong’s, H8416; Vine’s, “To Praise”) is the final dimension of praise. It is based on a root that means “laudation,” especially as it refers to hymns (see Ps. 40:3), and it speaks of the praiseworthy quality of a person or thing. These songs from the heart and the spirit are given to each individual believer and cannot be learned or duplicated. They are unpremeditated utterances inspired by the Ruach HaQadesh and as such are evidence that He is worshiping through us.


The apostle Paul refers to these types of songs when he writes to the Ephesian and Corinthian gatherings:


Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to Yahuah; Giving thanks always for all things unto Elohiym and the Father in the name of our Adonai Yahusha Ha'Mashiach; EPH'SIYM (EPHESIANS) 5:19-20 את CEPHER.


What is it then? I will pray with the ruach, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the ruach, and I will sing with the understanding also. QORINTIYM RI'SHON (1 CORINTHIANS) 14:15 את CEPHER.


Tehillah is song that publicly lauds Yah both as the praise of Israel and as the One to be praised (see Deut. 10:21; 1 Chron. 16:35; Ps. 22:3; 148:14; Jer. 17:14). Therefore, tehillah praise may occur when Yah’s people are praising Him, giving Him praise, or speaking of His praise ‘ (see 1 Chron. 16:35; 2 Chron. 20:22; Neh. 12:46; Ps. 22:25; 71:8). In addition, the Scriptures tell us that tehillah is praise Yah is not willing to share with anyone or anything else (see Isa. 42:8; Jer. 48:2). It is for Him alone, being the very place of His dwelling (see Ps. 22:3). So zealous is Yah for the tehillah praise of His people, that He even holds back His anger so He can receive praise (see Isa. 48:9). Moreover, the Scriptures tell us that Yah will make Jerusalem the praise of the earth (see Isa. 62:7; Jer. 33:9) as He makes His people praiseworthy (see Deut. 26:19; Zeph. 3:19-20). Then His people themselves will be His praise (see Jer. 33:11).


Nehemiah 9:5 is an interesting usage of this word, in that Yah’s name is “exalted above all blessing [shabach] and praise [tehillah].” In other words, Yah is exalted above any praise we can offer Him. Thus it is not surprising that tehillah is also translated “glory” (see Exod. 15:11).


The Pairing or Progression of the Dimensions in Scripture


Now that we’ve looked at the meanings of these seven dimensions or portraits of praise, let’s look at how they are grouped together. Although they do not occur in the Scriptures in a strict order, or even all in the same praise experience, there is a sense in which one builds upon the other, as the worshiper is caught up into seeking the presence of Yah. At first, there is the verbal thanksgiving for what Yah has done (todah). This usually recounts specific ways the Most High has protected or blessed the worshiper. Then, as the praise becomes more spontaneous, outbursts of thanksgiving combined with the extension of the hands to Yah in adoration may occur (yadah). As the worshiper continues to thank Yah for personal blessings, a more general honoring and adoring of Yah may follow (halal). This in turn may progress into the making of music (zamar) and into expressions of victory and celebration, often with dance. This heightened exhilaration may lessen at times as the worshiper waits with expectancy for Yah to lead in a new direction or reveal Himself in some manner (barak). Thus, as the intensity of praise ebbs and flows, the worshiper may slip back and forth among the various dimensions of praise.


If we examine the grouping of these seven dimensions in the Scriptures more closely, we find that the pairing of these portraits of praise is quite common, although rarely is the pairing with successive dimensions.


I will give You thanks [yadah] in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise [halal] You (Psalm 35:18).


Praise [barak] our Yah, O peoples, let the sound of His praise [tehillah] be heard (Psalm 66:8).


Rather, the pairing is more likely to skip a dimension or two.


Sing to the Most High with thanksgiving [todah]; make music [zamar] to our Yah on the harp (Psalm 147:7).


I will praise [yadah] You, O Most High, among the nations; I will sing [zamar] of You among the peoples (Psalm 57:9).


It is good to praise [yadah] the Most High and make music [zamar] to Your name, O Most High (Psalm 92:1).


All You have made will praise [yadah] You, O Most High; Your saints will extol [barak] You (Psalm 145:10).


Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise [yadah] You forever; from generation to generation we will recount Your praise [tehillah] (Psalm 79:13).


Praise [halal] the Most High. Sing to the Most High a new song, His praise [tehillah] in the assembly of the saints (Psalm 149:1).


Praise [halal] the Most High, for the Most High is good; sing praise [zamar] to His name, for that is pleasant (Psalm 135:3).


In addition, these pairings place the various aspects of praise in varying orders that differ from the indicated sequence, with praise moving back and forth between the dimensions.


Let them give thanks [yadah] to the Most High for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings [todah] and tell of His works with songs of joy (Psalm 107:21-22).


That my heart may sing [zamar] to You and not be silent.
0 Most High my Yah, I will give You thanks [yadah] forever (Psalm 30:12).


I will praise [halal] Yah’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving [todah] (Psalm 69:30).


The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise [halal] and thanks [yadah] to the Most High. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise [halal] to the Most High and sang: “He is good; His love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Most High was filled with a cloud (2 Chronicles 5:13).


My mouth will speak in praise [tehillah] of the Most High. Let every creature praise [barak] His holy name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:21).


Expressions of praise that include three or four dimensions are also present in the Bible, although they are not as common as the pairings.


Cry out, “Save us, O Yah our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks [yadah] to Your holy name, that we may glory [shabach] in Your praise [tehillah]” (1 Chronicles 16:35; see also Psalm 106:47).


Praise [halal] the Most High. How good it is to sing praises [zamar] to our Yah, how pleasant and fitting to praise [tehillah] Him! (Psalm 147:1)


In these instances as well, the praise dimensions may not follow the order noted above.


Enter into His gates with thanksgiving [todah], and into His courts with praise [tehillah]: be thankful [yadah] unto Him, and bless [barak] His name (Psalm 100:4 KJV).


A good example of progression through the dimensions of praise is found in First Chronicles chapter 16 when King David takes the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.


They brought the ark of Yah and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before Yah. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Most High ... He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Most High, to make petition, to give thanks [yadah], and to praise [halal] the Most High, the Yah of Israel.
That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks [yadah] to the Most High: Give thanks [yadah] to the Most High, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Most High rejoice. Look to the Most High and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.
Sing to the Most High, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Most High and most worthy of praise [halal]; He is to be feared above all Yahs. For all the Yahs of the nations are idols, but the Most High made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy in His dwelling place. Ascribe to the Most High, O families of nations, ascribe to the Most High glory and strength, ascribe to the Most High the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Most High in the splendor of His holiness .... Give thanks [yadah] to the Most High, for He is good; His love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, O Yah our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks [yadah] to Your holy name, that we may glory [shabach] in Your praise [tehillah].”Praise [barak] be to the Most High, the Yah of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise [halal] the Most High” (1 Chronicles 16:1-2,4;7-12;23-29;34-36).


To understand the significance of this passage concerning praise, we need to go back a chapter and look at the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem in chapter 15. David has made a tent for the Ark of the Covenant and is preparing to bring it into the city. Therefore, he assembles all the people, including the Levites, the only Israelites who are permitted to carry the Ark. Then he instructs them:


...And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Leviyiym: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up את the Ark of Yahuah Elohai of Yashar'el unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, Yahuah Elohaynu made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. DIVREI HAYAMIYM RI'SHON (1 CHRONICLES) 15:12-13 את CEPHER.


Do you remember what David is talking about here? He had tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem before, but tragedy struck when Uzzah, one of the men taking care of the Ark, was killed when he put out his hand to steady it (see 1 Chron. 13). Hence, David’s joy in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was replaced by fear.


David evidently saw this calamity as the result of his failure to ask Yah for His prescribed way to move the Ark. The second time he attempted to move it, he therefore wanted to be sure he did everything right. Instead of placing the Ark on a cart, as he had done the first time, David instructed the Levites to carry it on poles as their ancestors had done in the time of Moses.


As they started out, David commanded the Levites to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments. David also offered sacrifices to Yah because He was helping the Levites to move the Ark, as He required. Thus, all Israel brought up the Ark with shouting, rejoicing, and the playing of trumpets and other instruments.


Meanwhile, King David was dancing and celebrating. This lover of Yah’s presence was evidently overjoyed that the throne of Yah was coming to Jerusalem, the city where David lived and ruled. As we pick up the story in First Chronicles chapter 16, we see that David offers more sacrifices and appoints Levites to minister before the Ark, making petitions, giving thanks (yadah), and praising Yah (halal).


David had experienced one tragedy because he didn’t follow Yah’s instructions. He wasn’t about to suffer another one. Therefore, he instructed the Levites to minister to the Most High starting with sacrifices and thanksgiving. Only after the sacrifices had been presented, did he add music and progress through the other dimensions of praise. Finally, by the end of verse 35, the praise becomes tehillah. This progression of praise dimensions is not found here in strict order, as is evident in the verses quoted above. Yet, there is a sense in which David sought to follow Yah’s pattern so the people might “give thanks [yadah] to [His] holy name, [and] glory [shabach] in [His]praise [tehillah]” (1 Chron. 16:35).


Taking a Drink or Going for a Swim


This pattern in praise has not changed. Yah still requires that we approach Him with sacrifices before we seek His favor and blessing. This is why tehillah is the last dimension of praise, not the first. Yah is not willing to be enthroned among us until He sees that we want Him, not just the things He can give us.


But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Yashar'el. TEHILLIYM (PSALMS) 22:3 את CEPHER.


In essence, not just any praise brings Yah’s presence to us. Only praise that follows His pattern will do, starting with the sacrifices of a willing heart and a contrite spirit and continuing as we quiet ourselves before Him until we yield ourselves completely to Him. Our hearts must be totally consumed with Him, and only Him, as His Spirit reigns supreme in our spirit. This is when Yah becomes enthroned in our praise and the songs of the spirit begin.


This is not to say that we do not have the Spirit in us before we reach tehillah praise. Certainly, we all receive Him when we accept Yahusha as Savior. Yet, we may be born again and still not experience the manifest presence of the Most High.


I know this is difficult for some of you to understand, but it is essential that you do, so that Yah’s presence may be a consistent ongoing part of your life. If I describe it this way, perhaps it will help you to understand what I mean: When you are born again, it is like drinking a glass of water. You have water on the inside but not on the outside. On the other hand, when you come to Yah through tehillah praise and He sets up His throne in your presence, it is as though you have climbed into a pool and are surrounded by water.


When you drink water, you do not float. When you drink water, you cannot swim. When you drink water, you still have weight. When you dive into a pool, you are held up by the water and the heaviness is taken away. Therefore, it is easier to move around in a pool than on land.


This is the difference between having Yah’s presence and being in Yah’s presence. You can be saved and still walk around carrying a lot of weight because you never get into Yah’s presence. When you have Yah’s presence, it quenches your thirst. When you live in His presence, He takes over your whole life.


Yah COMES TO US WHEN WE FOLLOW HIS PATTERN.


Yah wants you to do more than take a drink. He wants you to come into the pool so He can take the weight off your life and you can float. Not all the heavy things you carry with you are relieved when you take a drink of Yah. They fall off only when the water of Yah surrounds you and lifts you up. This is where tehillah praise takes you. When you put on this garment of praise, the spirit of heaviness lifts and you are free to enjoy life and the sweetness of Yah’s presence day after day.


PRINCIPLES


1. Praise that reaches Yah follows a pattern or progression.


2. This pattern, although it does not follow a strict order, may be seen in seven Hebrew words used to describe the various dimensions or portraits of praise. They are:


- Todah: sacrifices of thanksgiving


- Yadah: thanksgiving with hands extended
in adoration


- Halal: praising with abandon


- Shabach: shouting with a sense of triumph


- Zamar: making music


- Barak: blessing Yah


- Tehillah: singing spiritual songs


3. Praise starts with the sacrifices of a willing heart and a contrite spirit.