Laud
Definition and Origins
The word "laud" comes from the Latin laudare, meaning to praise, commend, or glorify. It entered English through both Latin liturgical usage and Old French, and has been part of the English vocabulary for centuries. In biblical translations, "laud" serves as one of several English words used to translate Hebrew and Greek terms for praise, worship, and exaltation of God.
While "laud" has largely fallen out of everyday conversational English, it remains alive in formal, liturgical, and literary contexts. The related word "laudable" (meaning praiseworthy) is still commonly used, preserving the root meaning in modern vocabulary.
Key Biblical Passages
The word "laud" appears in several significant passages in the King James Version. In Romans 15:11, Paul quotes Psalm 117:1 in his argument that the gospel was always intended for Gentiles as well as Jews: "And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people." Here "laud" translates the Greek epaineo, meaning to praise or commend.
The source passage, Psalm 117:1, is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, yet it carries a sweeping theological message: "O praise the Lord, all ye nations: laud him, all ye people." The Hebrew word behind "laud" here is shabach, meaning to praise, commend, or speak well of. Psalm 145:4 also uses the concept: "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."
The Universal Call to Praise
The passages where "laud" appears share a common theme: the call for all peoples — not just Israel — to praise God. Psalm 117 is remarkable in its brevity and its scope. In just two verses, it summons every nation and every people to praise the Lord for His unfailing love and enduring faithfulness.
Paul's quotation of this psalm in Romans 15:11 is part of a carefully constructed argument showing that the Old Testament always anticipated Gentile inclusion in God's people. He strings together quotations from the Law (Deuteronomy 32:43), the Prophets (Isaiah 11:10), and the Writings (Psalm 117:1) to demonstrate that God's plan for the nations was woven throughout all of Scripture.
Lauds in Christian Worship Tradition
The word "laud" gave its name to one of the canonical hours of prayer in the Christian liturgical tradition. "Lauds" (from the Latin plural laudes) is the morning prayer service, traditionally prayed at dawn. The name comes from the fact that Psalms 148-150 — known as the "Laudate psalms" because each begins with the Latin imperative "Laudate Dominum" (Praise the Lord) — were central to this morning office.
This liturgical usage kept the word alive in English-speaking Christianity long after it faded from common speech. Hymns, prayers, and liturgical texts continued to use "laud" as a verb for praise, maintaining its connection to the biblical vocabulary of worship.
Praise as a Theological Act
The biblical concept behind "laud" is far more than polite compliment. To laud God is to publicly declare His character, His deeds, and His faithfulness. It is an act of witness as much as worship. When Psalm 145:4 says that one generation shall laud God's works to another, it describes the transmission of faith through the active, vocal celebration of what God has done.
This intergenerational dimension of praise ensures that God's mighty acts are not forgotten but are rehearsed, celebrated, and passed on. Each generation has the responsibility not only to praise God for what they have experienced but to declare His works to those who come after.
The Richness of Biblical Praise Vocabulary
The Bible uses a remarkable variety of words for praise: halal (to shine, to boast), yadah (to give thanks), zamar (to sing), tehillah (praise, song of praise), shabach (to laud, to commend), and many more. Each word captures a different facet of the human response to God's greatness. "Laud" contributes the sense of public commendation and verbal declaration, emphasizing that praise involves speaking well of God before others.
Biblical Context
"Laud" appears in Psalm 117:1 as part of the universal call for all nations to praise God, in Romans 15:11 where Paul quotes this psalm to support Gentile inclusion, and in Psalm 145:4 regarding intergenerational praise. These passages collectively emphasize that praising God is both universal in scope and ongoing across generations.
Theological Significance
The concept of lauding God affirms that praise is not optional or private but a public, communal, and universal obligation. The call for all nations to laud God anticipates the gospel's reach to every people. Paul's use of Psalm 117 in Romans demonstrates that God's plan always included gathering worshippers from every nation.
Historical Background
The word "laud" entered English through Latin liturgical usage and became embedded in Christian worship traditions. The Lauds service, one of the canonical hours of prayer dating to early monasticism, takes its name from the Latin praise psalms. The KJV's use of "laud" reflects the liturgical English of the early 17th century, when such vocabulary was familiar to churchgoing readers.