The root behind "Hallelujah" ("Praise Yah!"), halal is the most exuberant word for praise in Hebrew. It means to shine, to boast, to celebrate loudly and publicly. About 165 times. It conveys enthusiastic, joyful, even ecstatic praise — not quiet reflection but full-throated celebration.
Halal is the praise of overflow — when your experience of God is so great you cannot contain it. The Hallel Psalms (113–118) use this word to structure Israel's most celebratory worship. "Hallelujah" is the word that opens and closes many Psalms and is the song of heaven itself (Revelation 19:1–6).
The Psalms are called Tehillim in Hebrew — "Praises" (from halal). The Hallel Psalms were sung at Passover — Jesus and the disciples sang them at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30). Genuine praise can look extravagant, even foolish, to observers (as David experienced dancing before the Ark). "Hallelujah" echoes from earth into eternity (Revelation 19:1).