Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "praise". We used one of the Hebrew words for praise (halal) earlier this year. This one is found in these verses: 

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. KJV

Psalm 45:17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise and give You thanks forever and ever. AMP

Psalm 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. KJV

Psalm 99:3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. KJV

Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! KJV

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. KJV

Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "yadah". Strong's Concordance says: to use the hand, to worship with extended hand. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to give thanks, to laud. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament adds: to acknowledge. Where  "halal" is a very demonstrative and celebratory form of praise, "yadah" is more of an acknowledgement of Who He is and what He's done. I'm sure you've heard the Pastor of The Spoken Word Church say: "Anything good, give God the credit. Anything bad, don't blame God". We could also say: "Anything good in your life, give God the praise, thanksgiving and worship for it". After all, James 1:17 does say this:

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. KJV

So, first we acknowledge Him for Who He is and what He's done. This produces that gratefulness and thankfulness that keeps us humble before Him! THEN we celebrate! In fact, that is WHY we celebrate! Here is Hillsong with "For Who You Are":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!