- With the whole heart – Psalm 111:1(NKJV) I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
- With understanding – Psalm 47:7(NKJV) For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
- Joyful mouth and lips – Psalm 71:8(NKJV) Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.
- Lifting the hands – Psalm 141:2(NKJV) Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
- With the dance – Psalm 149:3a(NKJV) Let them praise His name with the dance;
- Bow down – Psalm 5:7(ESV) But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
- Shout – Psalm 47:1(ESV) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
- Sing/play instruments – Ephesians 5:18-20(MSG) Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge drafts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.
The word hallelujah is the combination of the word halal (praise) and Yah (Yahweh). Halal means to shine (or flash brightly), boast, to praise, to act like a fool or madman. So combined (halal and Yah) into hallelujah the word means Praise Yahweh or Praise the LORD.
Praise is unidirectional. We praise God, He does not praise us. Praise is our acknowledgement of His power, authority, wisdom and worthiness. Praise does not require a response from the One who is being praised.
Psalm 150:1-6(NIV) Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.