Hallelujah! “Praise the Lord” is what “hallelujah” means in Hebrew.
The other day, I was watching the DVD of Shrek with Jeffrey (my awesome 15-month old grandson). Actually, I was watching it, and he was mostly excited about dancing to the various songs that run through the movie. He is completely unconcerned with any of the machinations of storytelling or movie making… to him, it’s all colors, motion, sound, and (best of all) music. Eddie Murphy’s karaoke version of “I’m a Believer” at the end of the movie seemed to be his personal favorite. And again, he can’t yet relate to choreography. And yet, his dancing is full of wild abandon and joy; mine is full of knee-popping and injured muscles that scream for me to knock it off. In the midst of his joy, I cry “hallelujah” for the blessings and joy that the Lord showers on me.
Then came a part of the Shrek movie where an overheard conversation is misinterpreted, angry words are exchanged, and it looks like anything BUT a happy ending. As all of the main characters continue sadly along paths that can only lead to unhappiness, a song substitutes for dialog as the movie follows the unhappy progress of the characters.
That song stuck in my mind… long after the movie ended… for days, so I finally looked it up. The song, “Hallelujah” was written in 1985 by Leonard Cohen, and then reworked a bit and performed in the movie Shrek by Rufus Wainwright. It’s full of Biblical imagery. I see: King David, Sampson, the Garden, Christ’s ministry, and salvation… even in our brokenness! Ah, but lyrics and music are interesting, eh? Each of us brings our own experiences and background to our perception of what we hear. Listen to the following audio, and consider the lyrics (maybe, even as you follow along)… what do YOU see?
A funny thing developed after I repented in my own brokenness and asked Jesus to come into my life as my Lord and Savior: my eyes were opened to perceive so much more of the joy that was already in my world, and I could also see so many more “hallelujah” moments in life!
Hallelujah!!!
Your brother in Christ,
Dave
The other day, I was watching the DVD of Shrek with Jeffrey (my awesome 15-month old grandson). Actually, I was watching it, and he was mostly excited about dancing to the various songs that run through the movie. He is completely unconcerned with any of the machinations of storytelling or movie making… to him, it’s all colors, motion, sound, and (best of all) music. Eddie Murphy’s karaoke version of “I’m a Believer” at the end of the movie seemed to be his personal favorite. And again, he can’t yet relate to choreography. And yet, his dancing is full of wild abandon and joy; mine is full of knee-popping and injured muscles that scream for me to knock it off. In the midst of his joy, I cry “hallelujah” for the blessings and joy that the Lord showers on me.
Then came a part of the Shrek movie where an overheard conversation is misinterpreted, angry words are exchanged, and it looks like anything BUT a happy ending. As all of the main characters continue sadly along paths that can only lead to unhappiness, a song substitutes for dialog as the movie follows the unhappy progress of the characters.
That song stuck in my mind… long after the movie ended… for days, so I finally looked it up. The song, “Hallelujah” was written in 1985 by Leonard Cohen, and then reworked a bit and performed in the movie Shrek by Rufus Wainwright. It’s full of Biblical imagery. I see: King David, Sampson, the Garden, Christ’s ministry, and salvation… even in our brokenness! Ah, but lyrics and music are interesting, eh? Each of us brings our own experiences and background to our perception of what we hear. Listen to the following audio, and consider the lyrics (maybe, even as you follow along)… what do YOU see?
Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
Copyright © 1985 Leonard Cohen and Sony/ATV
Music Publishing Canada Company.
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 lift
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 you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Maybe I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There was a time you'd let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me do you?
Remember when I moved in you?
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A funny thing developed after I repented in my own brokenness and asked Jesus to come into my life as my Lord and Savior: my eyes were opened to perceive so much more of the joy that was already in my world, and I could also see so many more “hallelujah” moments in life!
Hallelujah!!!
Your brother in Christ,
Dave
America promises us the pursuit of happiness but the Lord gives us JOY, the abundant life, which often seems less than happy to others. Joy in knowing our creator, who cares for me, who delights me and delights in me - what a wonderful way to trust God. Many years (and many people do this) I just tried to do what I was supposed to do. I didn't have a great relationship with my mom; she never seemed to enjoy me. But my dad did! My life is so much happier now that I am not focussing on 'being happy' but on being with the Lord. As we sing, Jesus is really our friend!
ReplyDelete