The Seven Hebrew Words for Praise
This has been a popular Praise and Worship teaching from the 70’s. It needs further study.
Popular teachings of these words lack careful consideration of context, fail to recognize homonyms* and rely too heavily on the outdated Strong’s Concordance, published in 1890.
The methodology used to explain the meaning of these words is flawed.
For example, the word “halal” has three distinct uses in the Old Testament. This is recognized in the NIV Dictionary by using three different entries with different word numbers. The context reveals clearly which of the three is meant.
Unfortunately most teachers combine multiple meanings for “halal.” One of the meanings is “to be foolish, or mad” - clearly the usage where David feigns madness. This had nothing to do with praise, but we are taught to be foolish and crazy when we praise!
*Homonym - each of two or more words having the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings and origins - Oxford English Dictionary
e.g. Trunk = suitcase, elephants nose, rear of a car, stem of a tree
halal
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H2146 הָלַל2 hālal2, v. [146] also used with compound proper names]. [P] to praise; give thanks; cheer, extol; [Pu] to be praised, be worthy of praise, be of renown; [Ht] to make one’s boast in (the name of God);
tehillah
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H9335 תְּהִלָּה tᵉhillâ, n.f. [57] praise, renown, glory; praise is proclaiming the excellence of a person or object
yadah
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H3344 יָדָה2 yādâ-2, v. [111] . [H] to express praise, give thanks, extol, make a public confession, make an admission; to praise is to speak of the excellence of someone or something; to give thanks has a focus on the gratitude of the speaker
todah
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H9343 תּוֹדָה tôdâ, n.f. [32] thank offering; thanksgiving, confession of thankfulness; song of thanksgiving; thanks is the speaking of the excellence of a person or object, with a focus on the personal gratitude of the speaker:
barak
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H1385 בָּרַךְ2 bārak-2, v. [326] [P] to bless, pronounce blessings, give praise, give thanks, extol; [Qp, N, Pu] to be blessed, be praised; [Ht] to bless oneself, be blessed; this can mean to speak words invoking divine favor (bless), or speak of the excellence of someone (praise):
shabach
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H8655 שָׁבַח1 šābaḥ-1, v. [9] [P] to glorify, commend, extol; [Ht] to glory in:
zamar
(NIV Word Study Dictionary) H2376 זָמַר1 zāmar-1, v. [45]. [P] to sing, sing praises, to make music, to chant, sing, or play instruments to worship God and proclaim his excellence