“Behold, God [El] is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD [Yahweh] God [Yah] is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

This one verse contains three names of God, with “Yah” representing a shortened form of “Yahweh.” The NIV translates the verse, “… for the LORD, the LORD Himself, is my strength …” seeing both terms as referring to the divine name Yahweh. Shortening the name—and using it alongside the longer form—fits the poetic structure of the passage in which our verse is found. We are reminded of Moses’ song: “The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him” (Ex 15:2, see also Ps 118:14). Yah is to be praised precisely because it is in His nature to give salvation and strength to those who trust in Him. Hardly can this be uttered without singing its truth.

The meaning of the word “Yah” basically draws from the term “Yahweh.” However, our interest is found more in the term’s later use in a more recognizable form, the Hebrew word combination “hallel-u-jah.” In most English translations this is rendered, “Praise the LORD.” The first part of the word, “hallel,” means “praise.” The “u” indicates a grammatical imperative or command, and “jah” renders the Hebrew “Yah.” So when the world exclaims “Hallelujah,” from the lips of the unsaved comes praise for Yahweh!

The LORD is worthy to be praised, as seen in Psalms (for example, 104:35; 105:45; 106:1, 48; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1, 9; 115:18; 116:19; 117:2; 135:1, 3, 21; 146:1, 10; 147:1, 20; 148:1, 14; 149:1, 9; 150:1, 6). Sometimes the psalmist calls others to praise, while at times he challenges himself to praise the LORD.

Who can think of this word without the background echo in our minds of Handel’s famous oratorio, The Messiah, in particular the grand finale?

Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth
The kingdom of this word is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Theology is the study of God; doxology is the praise of God. The study of God has no valid purpose unless it leads to praising Him. If it doesn’t, then we don’t understand Him. Yah is to be praised because He is the One who gives us salvation and strength. To do anything else is to miss the point of theology.

Hallelujah! You, my God, shall reign for ever and ever!