Amen

The word ‘amen’ has a very honoured place in the Bible. In both Testaments, the word is linked with deity. In the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32.4, Psalms 31.5, Isaiah 65.16), the God of truth or the God of Amen. In the New Testament (Revelation 3.14), the Lord Jesus Christ describes Himself as the Amen, the faithful, and true Witness.” (We are taught in 2Corinthians 1.20 that, as to all the promises of God, in Him is the amen. These promises are established through Him).

The word amen has been carried from Hebrew into Greek, English, and other languages without translation. The word Hallelujah has been similarly transliterated (not translated). These two words go well together. There is a call to praise the Lord (Hallelujah!). The glad response should be Amen! Frequently in the Bible, Amen is used when God (or distinctly the Lord Jesus) has been praised (blessed) and glory has been ascribed to Him. The amen expresses hearty assent.

Old Testament Practice

In 1Chronicles 16.8-36, we have words of thanksgiving delivered by David and sung by the singers. At the close we read, “And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.” No doubt the people’s praise of the Lord was expressed in that one word, ‘amen’. The people heard the singing of thanksgiving to the Lord, and they expressed their hearty assent (their amen) to the words sung, and by so doing they themselves praised the Lord. How important was the amen!

Double Amen

In Nehemiah 8.6, we read, “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen.” We have here a double amen. The Psalms are divided into five books. At the close of each of the first three books we have a double amen, as follows:
“Blessed be the LORD … Amen, and Amen”
(Psalm 41.13) (End of Book 1)
“Blessed be the Lord God … Amen, and Amen”
(Psalm 72.18-19) (End of Book 2)

“Blessed be the Lord … Amen, and Amen”
(Psalm 89.52) (End of Book 3)

Amen in the Last Book of the Bible

If we are often grieved by the absence here on earth of an appropriate amen, we may find some consolation in knowing that the amen will be heard in Heaven (see Revelation 5.14, 7.12, 19.4). Comment is here made on further use of amen in this book of Revelation. In the first Chapter (verse 7) we read, “Behold, He cometh … Even so, Amen.” and in the last chapter (verse 20-21), “Surely 1 come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The Lord is coming. We gladly say, amen! – so let it be.

New Testament Practice

In 1Corinthians 14.16, we have clear indication that we, in our day, should follow the example set in the Old Testament, in saying Amen at thanksgiving in the assembly. The argument of the passage is based on the fact that the proper course at a suitable thanksgiving (see verse 17 “thou verily givest thanks well”) is that all should utter an intelligent amen. If some person has not understood the thanksgiving, he is not in a position to say amen. (Let me take this opportunity of stressing the importance of leading thanksgiving etc., with sufficient volume that all might be able to hear, and utter an intelligent amen).

Just as a brother’s thanksgiving should be audible, so should the amen from all led in that thanksgiving be audible. Let us not be half-hearted in our response. Of course, in every matter there is some danger of exaggeration or corruption. How undesirable is a monotonous amen every few seconds, heard even when a sentence of thanksgiving has just been
commenced!

A young man, after leading in prayer, said, ‘amen’, but he was the only one who did say it. He wondered whether he had done something wrong, whether there was, in his prayer, something with which no one could agree. Suddenly he had a great inclination not to lead in prayer again. What a responsibility is ours if we are at fault in discouraging a young brother from leading in prayer! What a deadening effect there is if stony silence marks the close of a brother’s prayer or thanksgiving!