"Alleluia" and "Hosanna""

“Alleluia” and “Hosanna” are two words that are not in most peoples’ everyday vocabulary but are prominent in our Christian worship services and hymns.  A fair question might be:  What do they mean exactly?  One might interpret them to mean “joy”.  But is it that simple?  I picked up my Webster’s dictionary to check it out.  Both words have their origins in the Greek and Hebrew languages.

For “alleluia,” Webster’s says “hallelujah.”  Okay, so what does it say for “hallelujah?”  It says “used to express praise, thanks, or joy, especially to God as in hymn or prayer.”  So praise (to God), thanks (to God), or joy appear to be the appropriate translations.  So the next time I hear the word, I’ll apply these translations and see what makes sense.  For example, before the Gospel message is proclaimed at Mass, we often say or sing “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”   In that case, I will be thinking “Praise God” or “Praise the Lord.”  Such phrases are in my everyday vocabulary!

But, what about “Hosanna?”  The one time at Mass where the word is used is in this prayer just before the consecration of the bread and wine:  “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.  Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.”  This seems to come straight from Scripture.  During Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion, according to Matthew’s gospel, the crowds cry out:  “Hosanna to the son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”  Again, it appears to be an exclamation of joy.    Webster’s says “an exclamation used to give praise to God.”  So it essentially means the same as “alleluia.”

It is the time of the year when we want to sing out from the rooftops:  “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna.  Praise God, praise God, praise God.  Humanity’s Savior is about to be born.  Praise the Lord.”  Amen!