We stand and sing the team's national anthem at the beginning of many sporting events. A momentary reverence is shared—standing to attention, removing hats, respectful adherence to a tradition. A bailiff invites us to rise when judges enter the courtroom. We stand when the bride begins her processional up the wedding aisle. The historical narratives rooted in some of these traditions are messy, and some choose to bend the knee or hold their seat. At best, these moments are perfunctory. Not so with the anthem of praise to the King of Kings. Think for a moment about the anthem of heaven. Can you imagine how quickly we will rise, how loud we will cheer or how our breath will catch at the sight of Jesus? Will it be loud, or will the presence of the King of Kings have us so moved that it will be our collective silence that fills the space? If we take a knee, it will be because our legs cannot bear the weight of our trembling bodies. Come, let us bow down in worship,let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;for he is our Godand we are the people of his pasture,the flock under his care.Psalm 95: 6,7 NIV As I ventured into the quagmire of social media today, I became aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows. I fasted from social media through December and am now more sensitive to what is still present on my feeds. I don't search for the bad news. I stumble upon it because conflict, chaos and confrontation reign online. So, with each click, or swipe, I hold my breath. My heart quickens, and I remain on high alert. Not like the lioness crouched down in the bushes waiting for her prey, she is fearless; my vigilance is more akin to the wee antelope who suddenly hears the grass rustle nearby and looks up frozen with fright. So imagine my delight today when I read a series of posts from a lovely friend, one after another, offering thanks. She gave an anthem of praise. She wrote thank yous to nurses, mental health professionals, teachers, and pastors for all they do to keep us safe, healthy, and informed. Who else would rocks cry out to worshipWhose glory taught the stars to shinePerhaps creation longs to have the words to singBut this joy is mine An anthem of praise. A melody of adoration. Brooke Ligertwood's A Thousand Hallelujahs is an anthem of praise. A song of devotion. Our heart's cry of gratefulness. We have eternity to sing it. A thousand hallelujah's to magnify his name, give honour and praise because He reigns. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since you were called to peace as members of one body. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, d0 it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Colossians 3:14-19 NIV If you feel the burden of the here and now, lift your eyes above your circumstances. Join the chorus of A Thousand Hallelujahs. A song of worship we will sing into eternity. An anthem of praise our hearts long to sing. Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children. A Thousand Hallelujahs was written by Brooke Ligertwood and featured on the A Thousand Hallelujahs album.

Hallelujah is an exclamation of worship or a call to praise from two Hebrew words meaning "Praise ye the Lord" or "Praise Yahweh." As leaders and directors of music curate the church praise and worship, here are some suggested song sheets, choral arrangements, and orchestrations to lift up a sound of praise to God.

We live in a world often shrouded in darkness; a realm of uncertainty, pain, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. Yet, amidst this backdrop, the lyrics of "Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah)" by We The Kingdom reverberate like a beacon of hope. This song offers a powerful reminder that even in the midst of the darkest nights, the brilliance of God's love shines brightest. 1. Beginning and End: The lyrics initiate with an acknowledgment of Jesus as the 'Light of the world', a 'treasure of heaven'. This speaks to the eternal nature of Christ, present before the creation and persisting beyond the end. Despite the tragedies of time, despite human frailty and failure, the love of God remains undiminished. 2. The Humble Birth: The juxtaposition of a 'crown in a manger' encapsulates the profound humility of Christ's incarnation. The King of the universe, the Creator of galaxies, chose to be born in a humble stable. This wasn't an accident or a backup plan; it was a deliberate choice to showcase that the grandeur of God's love can be found in the simplest places. 3. Salvation through Sacrifice: "Born for the cross, to suffer, to save" - this line embodies the core of the Gospel. The Light didn't just shine to expose darkness; it penetrated the darkness to bring salvation. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paved the way for humanity to step out of darkness into His marvelous light. 4. Anticipation of His Return: The song doesn't stop at the cross or the resurrection but catapults us forward in time, reminding us of Christ's promised return. And with that return comes a future where darkness is a distant memory and where God Himself is our light. Drawing inspiration from our key scripture in Isaiah, it's evident that a day is coming where the natural sources of light we've grown dependent on — the sun and the moon — will pale in comparison to the radiant glory of God. His light will be the only source we need, both illuminating our path and filling our hearts. When life seems overwhelming, when the shadows seem to grow longer, and the night darker, let's anchor our hearts to this truth: The Light of the World has come, and His radiance dispels all darkness. And not only has He come, but He promises to return, bringing an end to all sorrow and establishing an eternal day under His benevolent reign. Today, let's choose to step into this Light. Let's bask in the warmth of His love, let His truths guide our path, and let His promises uplift our souls. And as we do, may we join the chorus of believers across the ages and "Sing hallelujah to the Light of the world."Isaiah 60:19-20 - "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end."