The "Shrek Song" - Hallelujah!

A few weeks back, I, along with my friends went to watch the now Oscar nominated movie: Wreck-It Ralph. We thoroughly enjoyed the movie, so much so that when it got over we clapped along with others in the movie hall.  That night I was reminded of one of my favourite animated movies – Shrek, and particularly one of the songs of the movie titled “Hallelujah”. In no time I was searching for it on YouTube and over the next few days kept on listening to version after version of the song over and over again. The song written by Leonard Cohen, has been performed by numerous artists across the globe including himself, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, JustinTimberlake, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, K D Lang, the Norwegian quartet....... Below is the video of the song sung by K D Lang during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

I was mesmerized by the song. As I listened to it repeatedly, I started paying attention to the lyrics (click here for lyrics) and was stunned at the deep meaning it had. The word “Hallelujah” means “Praise Yahweh” or “Praise God” and I always used to associate this word with joyful thanksgiving, something you would say when you are happy and content. But this song brings out other types of Hallelujahs: cold, lonely, broken Hallelujahs. It tells about the lives of King David and Samson who were so close to God, but in their moment of weakness, they gave into temptation, abandoned the God whom they loved so much, committed adultery and murder. From their depths, in their weaknesses and sorrow they cried out “Hallelujah!” It showed me that we can and should praise God in all situations no matter how bad it is. The last few verses of the song put it together so well:

“And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah”

A couple of days back I came across an e-mail sent by one of my friend’s friend. The mail started with the words “Praise be to Jesus and Mary”. As I read, I was stunned at what this young guy had to share. He wrote about how hard these last couple of weeks have been for him and his family, how his father was admitted with multiple complications, how his health deteriorated and how his father breathed his last while he was at the airport on his way back home. He wasn’t able to see his father alive. I was shocked at how someone who has gone through such a personal crisis, such a huge loss could start his mail by praising God!!

It’s so easy to thank and praise God when everything in our life is going on well, when we get what we ask, when all our prayers are answered, when we have no problems or issues. But we are called to praise Him not just then, but even when we are irritated or disturbed or disappointed or sad, when things do not go according to our plans, when whatever we do ends up in a failure, when we are facing problems after problems and don’t see a way out, when everyone around us has abandoned us, when we struggle to make our ends meet, when none of our prayers get answered, when we feel lost, betrayed and alone, when we can’t make sense of what’s happening around us, when we lose a loved one, when we are plagued by diseases, pain and suffering. It’s in moments like these that we should praise God, sing Hallelujah and realise that “Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. We are left without an answer, but do not despair; persecuted not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8,9). Because our God is the God of impossibles, who is by our side every second of our lives and because of whose love for us we can confidently say:

“God is our strength and protection,

an ever-present help in affliction.

We will not fear, therefore,

though the earth be shaken,

and the mountains plunge into the seas,

though its waters foam and roar,

though the mountains quake and totter.

For the Lord of hosts is with us,

the God of Jacob, is our stronghold.”

(Psalm 46:2-4)

Hallelujah! God Bless!!