Alleluia or Hallelujah?

Sometimes, as we begin this sacred season of Easter, folks will ask me if we should say Alleluia or Hallelujah? I think either works. Both mean “Praise the Lord.” Both are appropriate for a season in which we celebrate the good news of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.

Alleluia derives from the Latin version of the original Hebrew, which Hallelujah is closer to. They both are great during Easter. More of our Easter season hymns include Alleluia. You’ll see that word in print a lot this month. But I have been thinking about the word Hallelujah instead this week. I’ve been listening to versions of a song by that name. Made famous by Leonard Cohen. Covered by various artists, including Pentatonix. Cohen begins the song with,

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lifts
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew her

The haunting lyrics at the beginning of the song speaks about the rise and fall of King David in the Hebrew Bible. Such an incredible life. Incredible victories. Terrible problems and challenges too.

Yet at Easter, one in the line of David, Jesus, came to right the wrongs and redeem the mistakes. He came to make the future right, and to set us free. So that this season and always, we can sing Alleluia or say Hallelujah, or both. For the tomb is open. The cross is empty. Christ is alive. Let people sing. The cross stands empty. Christ is alive. Alleluia. Hallelujah.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Easter season. See you at church.

In Christ’s love, David