We are providing a brief primer concerning the various Ways to Praise. Praise is an inward and outward expression of honor, acknowledgement and majesty for Our Lord. It is noted that the Ways To Praise may overlap each other. As explained by Elder Winter, praise can be thought of as a satellite dish. The satellite dish has various parts features that aid in its functioning. There is a triangular base for stability. The base portion of the satellite dish would be akin to 'Halal', which is the first expression of praise. Moving upwards, the stems that lead from the base are 'Yadah' and 'Towdah' which are ways to praise that include lifting your hands. The next portion is the circular dish which is 'Barak' which sends the praise and prayers. 'Shabach' fine tunes the request and 'Zamar' is the inner praise that is shown by an outward expression via instruments which directs the request. Finally, there is 'Tehillah' which applies our heaven-given language (tongues) to our praise and/or worship. There are, however, additional praise ways such as the gift of laughter and praising in the dance.
Halal Halal is a variation of the word 'hallelujah'. Halal is the most commonly practiced expression of praise. The first word of praise we utter is "hallelujah". Halah means to be clear, to shine, to boast, to show, to rave, to celebrate, and to be clamorously foolish. In Acts 2, those who were filled with the Holy Ghost and praising God were thought to be drunk though it was approximately 9am. Praising the Lord blesses the heart of God. He delights in the praises of His people. He inhabits (Dwells and manifests His power) the praises of His people.
Halal is the base of the satellite dish representation for Ways to Praise.
Yadah
Yadah means to extend the hands, to throw out the hand, to worship with extended hands. It is the opposite of wringing your hands, moaning, and feeling defeated. If you refuse to lift your hands in victorious worship and praise, you may instead have to wring them in wimpering defeat. Yadah takes an act of your will. It means to open up, to raise your hands in power toward God, to embrace the Lord. Moses won the battle by lifting his hands towards Heaven. When he got tired and his arms began to fall, Israel started to lose the battle. Therefore, two men assisted Moses in raising his hands and the battle was won. The Word of God tells us to "Lift up holy hands unto the Lord in praise", in the sancuary, and that men "should always lift up their hands and pray." Yadah is similar to how a little child requests/demands to be picked up. The child extends his hands and arms fully up toward his parent. Yadah is the upward extension of the base of the satellite dish.
Towdah
Towdah is to extend the hands, to throw out the hand, to worship with extended hands, to show adoration, avowal or acceptance. Thanking God for things already at hand, as well as for things that are not yet received. It is akin to cupping your hands with your wrists facing upward and lifting your hands toward God. See Psalm 50:23, 100:1 and Jeremiah 17:26. Towdah is the second upward extension of the base of the satellite dish
Barak
Barak is to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration. To bless God expecting to receive something. Scriptures supporting Barak are Judges 5:2, Psalm 72:15, and Romans 2:29. Barak sets the right position and relationship with God. Barak is the circular satellite dish which sends the praise and prayers. Barak places everything into the proper position and perspective.
Shabach
Shabach is to shout aloud unto the Lord. To address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph, to glorify, to "shout"! To praise God with a loud voice, to pacify by words. The strategy for the Battle of Jericho included a plan for shouting after encompassing the city for seven days. Joshua 6:1-17. The wall of Jericho is akin to a stronghold that the enemy has. We are told to pull down strongholds. The children shouted "Hosanna" on the day that we remember as Palm Sunday. Shabach is the fine tuning in the satellite dish. Shabach is more than shouting. Shabach is an inward realization that once your human mind understands the revelation, you cannot help but 'Shabach'. It is a manner of identifying the true purpose, reason, or request as directed by God. The full scope of the vision can be seen.
Zamar
Zamar is to praise and/or worship with the use of instruments. Instruments can be stringed as a violin, piano, organ, viola, cello, bass, and guitar. The instruments can be percussion such as a drum, bells, tambourine, and triangles. Instruments can be brass or woodwind like a trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, piccolo, fife, bugle, tuba, bassoon, oboe, and saxophone. The instruments can include your voice, hands, and feet. There are a host of other instruments that were not mentioned, this list is for an example of the variety of instruments that can be used. We are admonished to "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and to "Rejoice in the Lord." There is no requirement that the joyful noise be rhythmic or harmonizing. The expression used wells up from the inside and bubbles out. See Psalms 33, 92, and 150. Zamar is the instruments that direct the praise. Zamar is more than just 'playing' an instrument, it is akin to the reason or purpose that instruments were originally made: to have communication with God.
Tehillah Tehillah is to sing, your hallelujah. See Psalm 22:3. Tehillah is unrestrained praise. Tehillah is usually sung in the Spirit with and through our Spirit. Tehillah is praising with our tongues (Heavenly language used on earth). The dead (physically or spiritually) cannot praise the Lord! We must come alive, put our faith in/into action and enter into God's presence with thanksgiving and praise. See Acts 2:4; 2:11b speak and tell of the wonders of God; 10:44-46; and 1 Corinthians 14:2, 16-17. Tehillah is the communication to and from heaven.
