The People Said, 'Amen'

For many years now, when I have been leading in public prayer, whether at a Sunday worship service, or a smaller meeting, I end by saying "Hallelujah!". What I do not say is "Amen". This is because the word means "I agree" or "That's right" - and, obviously, I agree with what I have just said, and believe it to be right! It's one of the words at which I look in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". It may also be said when a particular point has been made during the preaching of the Word.

It is interesting to note the biblical examples of such a demonstration. There are sixteen times in which this or a similar statement occurs in the Bible, all in the Old Testament - not unsurprisingly, considering that it is a Hebrew word! 

No less than twelve are found in Deuteronomy 27:14-26 with the people so responding after the pronouncement of a "curse" on those who commit various sins. The last curse is as follows: "Cursed be he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’" (v. 26) in agreement with the judgment.

 

King David ended his thanksgiving psalm for the return of the Ark of the Covenant with, “Blessed be YHWH, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised YHWH.” (I Chronicles 16:36).  When Jerusalem's wall restoration was being delayed and Nehemiah had to rebuke some of his people for their covetousness, threatening God's judgment on them if they did not repent, then "all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise" (Nehemiah 5:13). After the wall was finished, as Ezra read the Scriptures to the people, "Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6).  The final such reference is in Psalm 106:48 - "Blessed be YHWH, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise YHWH!" (Hallelujah!)

 

If we follow Biblical precedent, therefore, whenever God's Word is read to a congregation, either in denunciation of sin or thanksgiving for blessing and revival, or simply in praising the Lord for His eternal goodness, or signifying our agreement with what has been prayed, it is appropriate for the people to respond with a hearty, and heartfelt, "Amen!"