This is a continuation from a previous article about the 7 Hebrew words of praise I learned about at a Worship Together Conference in Franklin, Tennessee in February. Pastor Darren Whitehead was the speaker for this General Session. In the last newsletter, I talked about Yadah and Halal. Today, I will talk about Shabach and Zamar.
Shabach (shaw-bakh’) is to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph (a holy roar), to proclaim with a loud voice, unashamed, the glory, power, mercy, and love of God. The phrase “shout unto the Lord” can be understood as the action of SHABACH. It is not just being loud. You should have the attitude of putting your whole being into it, an attitude of being totally uninhibited.
Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all peoples; shout (shabach) to God with the voice of joy (or triumph).
Zamar (zaw-mahr’) is to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments. Translated many times as “sing praises,” it implies the singing of praise in set composition of words and music. This kind of praise is mostly rejoicing.
1 Chronicles 15:16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy (zamar).
Psalm 57:8-9 Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises (zamar) to you among the nations.
The next time you’re worshiping God, keep these words and their meanings in mind. There is more than one way to praise our Lord. In the next newsletter, you will learn about Towdah, Barak, and Tehillah.
By Marianna Gill, Worship Coordinator
