Praise the Lord (greeting)

This article is about the Christian greeting phrase. For other uses, see Praise the Lord (disambiguation).
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Praise the Lord is a Christian greeting phrase used in various parts of the world in English, as well as other languages.[1][2] The salutation is derived from the Bible, where it and related phrases occurs around two hundred and fifty times (cf. Psalm 117:1–2).[3][4] The usage of the greeting phrase is indicative of the Christian religious identity of an individual, especially in a multi-faith society such as the Indian subcontinent,[5][6] where it is translated into languages such as the lingua franca Hindi-Urdu (Jai Masih Ki).[7] In Poland, the Christian greeting phase "Praise the Lord" (Polish: Niech będzie pochwalony) has been used especially in the countryside to initiate conversation, especially in the pre-World War II era.[8][2][9] It has been used among the Polish diaspora too, in places like Detroit.[10]

In the United Methodist Church, among other Christian denominations, the "Praise the Lord" is used as a liturgical greeting during the season of Eastertide in the Christian calendar.[11] In the Methodist worship, it serves as the response to the presider's blessing,[12] as well as being an ejaculatory prayer during revival meetings.[13] The Church of England, mother Church of the Anglican Communion, uses "Praise the Lord" as a call to worship too.[14]

  1. ^ Nuthalapati, B. E. Bharathi (14 March 2017). Brother Bakht Singh: Theologian and Father of the Indian Independent Christian Church Movement. Langham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78368-253-9.
  2. ^ a b Brendel, Jànos; Jakóbczyk, Stanisław (1998). Culture of the time of transformation: international congress: materials, Poznań, 2-5 February 1994. WiS Publishers. p. 132. ISBN 978-83-87346-60-7. In prewar Poland , especially in the countryside , one would often hear the traditional "Praise the Lord !" ("Niech będzie pochwalony"). ... this greeting was part of a ritual intended to initiate small talk or perhaps an invitation to share a pitcher of milk and a more extended conversation.
  3. ^ Wilkin, Bob (1 November 1992). "Praise the Lord!". Grace Evangelical Society. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  4. ^ Sanford, David (19 May 2020). "What Does it Mean to Praise God?". Christianity.com. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Motorcycle Diaries: 'Praise the Lord'". International Christian Concern. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  6. ^ Stark, William (29 July 2015). "A Christian Greeting Turns into a Night of Terror for Christians in Southern India". Persecution. ICC. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ Duerksen, Darren (12 January 2015). Ecclesial Identities in a Multi-Faith Context: Jesus Truth-Gatherings (Yeshu Satsangs) among Hindus and Sikhs in Northwest India. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-62564-655-2. In Punjabi the greeting one uses is tied directly to the religion of the one being greeted. The proper greetings for Hindus is Namaste and for Muslims it's Asalam-o-Alaikum. ... saying Jai Masih ki (Praise the Lord).
  8. ^ Essays in Colorado History, Issues 5-10. Colorado Historical Society. 1987. p. 101. "Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus" in Polish, a common verbal and written greeting among the Polish peasantry.
  9. ^ Silverman, Deborah Anders (2000). Polish-American Folklore. University of Illinois Press. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-252-02569-3. Another informant whose family used the "niece bedzie Pochwalony Jezuz Chrystus" greeting told me it was given because it was customary to do so. "The [people] had respect for the Lord. They were Christians, you know, and they'd come to your door, whether it was a man or a woman or what. ... But when that man came to the door, 'Niech bedzie pochwalony,' he'd always take his hat off."
  10. ^ Wytrwal, Joseph Anthony (1992). The Polish Experience in Detroit. Endurance Press. p. 27. The greetings "Niech Bedzie Pochwalony Jezus Chrystus" and "Bog Zaplac" were encouraged by both priests and sisters.
  11. ^ "Greetings and Opening Prayers for Various Occasions". GBOD. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  12. ^ "An Order of Sunday Worship Using the Basic Pattern". Discipleship Ministries. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Shouting Methodists". JFLT. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  14. ^ "A Gathering and Greeting: Greetings, calls to worship and other introductions". Society of Archbishop Justus. Retrieved 3 June 2021.