'hallelujah' originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'halleluyah,' where 'hallel' meant 'praise' and 'yah' referred to 'Yahweh' or 'God'.

'halleluyah' transformed into the Greek word 'allelouia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hallelujah' through Latin and Old French.

Initially, it meant 'praise Yahweh,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an exclamation of praise or joy'.