The Seven Hebrews Words for Praise: 7 Ways to Worship God

Throughout the Word of God, the actions and meanings of praise have specific meanings, purposes and intentions. The seven Hebrew words for praise are specific words that clarify God’s intention for how worship and praised are expressed by His people.

Praise has many interpretations, but only one purpose: Ministry to the Lord.

Praise and worship are no just the job of the pastor and the worship team! Praise and worship are a lifestyle for the people of God. Every believer is called to minister to the Lord and, very specifically, worship expressed the physical actions of praise, defined by God through the seven Hebrew words for praise.

What Does it Mean to Minister to God in Praise?

In Exodus 28, when God was creating the framework for the priesthood of Aaron and designing their garments of praise, He said over and over that the foundation for all that they did in leading the people in praise and service was to, “…minister to Me.”

Revelation 1:16 and 5:10 note that the people of God are all made to be kings and priests.
In 1 Peter 2:9 Peter wrote that God’s people were chosen to be a royal priesthood.

The purpose of the priesthood in the Bible was always designed to minister to the Lord – and God’s people were created to praise Him. How? Through the sacrifice of praise.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Through Him, then, let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15, MEV)
Paul wrote, “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.” (Romans 12:1, MEV)

Each of the seven Hebrew words for praise paints a different picture of a distinctive and unique worship action, in response to different mighty acts of God. Each word conveys a physical action performed by the worshipper, as you operate in an attitude of thanksgiving for what God has done.

What are the 7 Hebrew Words for Praise?

If your heart is to worship God, and to offer to Him the praise that He has designed and that He has asked for- the seven Hebrew words for praise will deepen your understanding of His heart for worship. It will renew passion and inspire fresh worship.

Does need praise or worship? Of course not! There isn’t anything that any human being could ever offer to God in return for His mercy, love and salvation and there isn’t anything God needs.

“This people I have formed for Myself;
they shall declare My praise.”
~ Isaiah 43:21 ~

However, the Lord has repeatedly expressed His desires in His Word and they all involve a deeper connection, greater intimacy and a more personal relationship with His people.

Read the following excerpt from Chapter 4 of “The Way of the Worshipper: Connecting with the Spirit of God through Restoring Intimacy, Purpose, and Understanding in Worship” [2nd Edition, 2025]:

Additionally, in the book, there is an exclusive, full “praise concordance” in the book where you can find every Scriptural reference for each usage of all seven Hebrew Words for praise! You will also find expanded context and deeper study of the Seven Hebrew Words for Praise and will help you uncover God’s “why” and “when” for each word.

In English, the words “praise”, “bless”, “thanksgiving”, “glorify” and other words of exaltation to the Lord are used throughout the Bible, however, those words do not accurately capture the very specific intentions of God’s design for praise.

Here is how the Lord has defined the 7 Hebrew words for “Praise” in the Bible:

(Click each word below to jump to examples of its use in the Bible):

BARAK: To kneel in reverence and submission (Psalm 66:20)
TEHILLAH: To sing a spontaneous, unrehearsed song of the Lord, from your spirit (See Psalm 22:3)
TOWDAH: To lift your hands in thanksgiving (See Psalm 107:22)
YADAH: To throw your hands up and forward while making a confession about God (See Isaiah 25:1)
ZAMAR: To worship the Lord while playing an instrument (See Psalm 98:4)
SHABACH: A loud, joyous shout of testimony (See Psalm 145:4)
HALAL: To jump, dance, to be loud and clamorous (See Psalm 150:2)

Unless you understand the ancient languages used to author the Old Testament, most people read the word “praise” and think of, well, praise! However, the word “praise” in the English language is left open-ended, to be interpreted by the worshipper, but that is not how God designed His praise to be expressed.

The point of origin for praise is always gratitude. In Psalm 50 the Lord said this:

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me…Whoever sacrifices a thank offering glorifies Me and makes a way; I will show him the salvation of God.”

The 7 Hebrew Words for “Praise” in the Bible

God’s Word about praise and worship are clear: The sacrifice of praise is what the Lord desires – the sacrifice of you. Gratitude is the point of origin for all praise. If you’re not grateful to the Lord, you cannot truly praise Him “in spirit and in truth”, as Jesus said the Father desires. (John 4:23-24)

Below are examples of the 7 Hebrew words for “praise” used throughout the Bible. The full “praise” concordance with Scripture references created exclusively by Alicia Purdy is available on Amazon.

1. BARAK: To kneel in reverence and submission.

Suggested devotional reading: “Falling in Full Surrender: How to Bless God in Barak Praise”

2. TEHILLAH: To sing a spontaneous, unrehearsed song of the Lord, from your spirit

Suggested devotional reading: “Here’s Why Tehillah Praise is the New Song God Desires”

3. TOWDAH: To lift your hands in thanksgiving

Suggested devotional reading: “The Power of Thanksgiving: Towdah & the Sacrifice of Praise”

4. YADAH: To throw your hands up and forward while making a confession about God

Suggested devotional reading: “Yadah with Praise: The Power of Lifting Your Hands to God”

Digging Deeper into God’s Word for Worship: A Devotional Workbook

How do these seven Hebrew words for praise translate, in practical terms, in the lives of those who love the Lord and desire to honor Him with their worship, to bless Him, to thank Him… to connect more deeply with Him?

That is why the book “The Way of the Worshipper” was written – to help you strengthen your relationship with the Lord through praise and deepen your spiritual connection to His Holy Spirit through restoring intimacy, purpose and understanding in your praise and worship.

This is also why TheWayoftheWorshipper.com was created – to keep going!

Has He helped you in times of trouble? HALAL Him! (Psalm 148)
What does God, Himself, ask for as a sacrifice of thanksgiving? TOWDAH! (Psalm 50:14)
Has He performed a miracle in your life? TEHILLAH! (Psalm 34:1)
Do you need a blessing in your life? BARAK Him! (Genesis 22:17)

Following the release of “The Way of the Worshipper”, I wrote a supplemental “Devotional Workbook” that will help you walk through the spiritual journey of The Way of the Worshipper and expand on Scriptural concepts about praise and worship.

Just as powerful – The devotional workbook will help you learn more about yourself – your motivations, inhibitions, your strengths and perspectives about praise!

When the Lord brings new revelation into our lives, it encompasses two important aspects: Revelation about Him, and revelation about ourselves. That is what The Way of the Worshipper is all about!