Plural of hallelujah; expressions of praise, joy, or thanksgiving, especially in religious contexts.
From Hebrew hallal 'to praise' + Yah 'God'; entered English through Late Latin and Greek religious texts. The word became popularized in English church music and worship from the medieval period onward.
Hallelujah appears in Handel's famous Messiah composition, where audiences traditionally stand during the 'Hallelujah' chorus—a custom that supposedly began when King George II stood up, forcing everyone else to follow. It's one of the few instances where concert etiquette was accidentally created by royal behavior!
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