Instrumental
The Last Hallelujah
The Last Hallelujah Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"The Last Hallelujah" by Michael W. Smith is presented as a powerful instrumental piece, concluding his 2008 live worship album, "A New Hallelujah". This album captured a significant worship event and featured a diverse collection of songs expressing praise and adoration. As the final track, "The Last Hallelujah" serves as an ultimate declaration within the album's narrative of worship. While the album was released in 2008, a song video specifically associated with "The Last Hallelujah" was released later, on October 25, 2009, offering a visual dimension to the instrumental track for audiences after the album's initial debut.
The meaning of "The Last Hallelujah" is conveyed solely through its title and musical composition, as it contains no vocals or lyrics. The term "Hallelujah" is a direct transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord." Placing this word at the end, as "The Last Hallelujah," suggests a conclusive, final, or ultimate expression of praise. As an instrumental piece, the music invites listeners to engage personally, allowing the absence of words to perhaps signify praise that transcends human language or is so complete it requires no further articulation. Its position as the closing track on a worship album underscores its role as a final, emphatic statement of adoration towards God, potentially signifying a praise that endures eternally or marks a definitive moment of conclusion and worship.
The concept embedded in "The Last Hallelujah" resonates deeply with various scripture references. The word "Hallelujah" itself appears repeatedly throughout the Psalms, particularly in the concluding Psalms (146-150), where it is used as both an opening and closing exhortation to praise God. Psalm 150, the final Psalm, calls all creation to praise the Lord, ending emphatically with "Praise the Lord. Hallelujah." Furthermore, the Book of Revelation uses "Hallelujah" at pivotal moments in the heavenly realm, particularly in Chapter 19, where a great multitude, the voice of many waters, and mighty thunder peals declare "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." This passage features a series of "Hallelujahs" leading up to significant final events, aligning with the idea of an ultimate or "last" praise offered in the presence of divine majesty and conclusive victory. The instrumental nature of the song allows listeners to contemplate these scriptural calls to praise and the future vision of worship described in Revelation, fostering a sense of connection to both ancient and future acts of adoration.