Definition and Usage:
The term "applaud" generally refers to the act of expressing approval or praise, often through clapping hands. In a biblical context, the concept of applause is not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the idea of expressing approval, praise, or joy can be found throughout the Bible in various forms, such as singing, shouting, and other expressions of worship and celebration.

Biblical Context:
While the specific act of clapping as a form of applause is not directly referenced in the Bible, the Scriptures do mention clapping in the context of joy and celebration. For example, Psalm 47:1 states, "Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph." This verse encourages the faithful to express their joy and reverence for God through physical expressions like clapping and shouting.

Expressions of Praise:
The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of praising God, which can be seen as a form of spiritual applause. In Psalm 150:6 , it is written, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" This verse underscores the call for all creation to express adoration and approval of God's majesty and works.

Cultural and Historical Considerations:
In ancient Israel, expressions of joy and approval were often communal and involved various forms of music and physical expression. Instruments such as tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets were used in worship and celebration, as seen in 2 Samuel 6:5 : "David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals."

New Testament Insights:
The New Testament continues the theme of expressing joy and approval, particularly in the context of worship and the early Christian community. In Ephesians 5:19 , believers are encouraged to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord." This reflects the communal and expressive nature of early Christian worship.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the act of applauding or expressing approval can be seen as a reflection of the joy and gratitude that believers have for God's grace and salvation. It is an outward manifestation of an inward reality, where the heart's posture of worship is expressed through physical actions.

Practical Application:
In contemporary Christian worship, applause may be used as a form of expressing appreciation for a message, a musical performance, or a testimony that glorifies God. While the Bible does not prescribe specific forms of applause, the underlying principle is that all expressions of approval and joy should ultimately direct glory to God and edify the body of Christ.1. (v. t.) To show approval of by clapping the hands, acclamation, or other significant sign.

2. (v. t.) To praise by words; to express approbation of; to commend; to approve.

3. (v. i.) To express approbation loudly or significantly.

1867. epaineo -- to praise
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epaineo Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ahee-neh'-o)
Short Definition: I praise, commend Definition: I praise, commend, applaud. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1867.htm - 7k

Beauty of Diction to be in Keeping with the Matter.
... says of the synagogue of the Jews: "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed
in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests applaud them with ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 14 beauty of diction to.htm

And So Much Labour Has Been Spent by Men on the Beauty of ...
... says of the synagogue of the Jews: "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed
in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests applaud them with ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 30 and so much.htm

What we are to Understand of God's Resting on the Seventh Day ...
... call it joyful by that figure of speech in which the thing containing is used for
the thing contained (as when we say, "The theatres applaud," "The meadows low ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 8 what we are to.htm

And, this Being So, Hear Also Just So Many Conditions and ...
... exact [1727] and divine, rending them with great onset of speech and reproaches,
think that they are effecting something, because the unlearned applaud them? ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 11 and this being.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 6
... [7.] Let us not then desire any others to applaud us. ... what more undelightful than
this delight? From among these then seekest thou judges to applaud thy deeds? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 1 cor iv.htm

A Further Thanksgiving to God for the Change in the Late ...
... Dost thou wish to receive mercy? Show mercy to thy neighbour. Dost thou wish to
be applauded? Applaud another. Dost thou wish to be beloved? Exercise love. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiii a further thanksgiving.htm

Rom. x. 1
... how come you to trust the proving of virtue to the many, and not most of all to
Him Who knoweth it more surely then any, and is best able to applaud [1492] and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii rom x 1.htm

The Agony, and the Consoler
... It was customary to applaud in the churches, but on this and subsequent occasions
the attention of the audience was riveted, and they would not run the chance ...
/.../chapter iii the agony and.htm

On Easter
... The changes of the year and of the months, the bounteous light of the days,
the splendour of the hours, all things with voice applaud. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/venantius/on easter/on easter.htm

The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... world; nor of his striking his thigh with his hand and beating the tribunal with
his feet; nor of his censuring and insulting those who did not applaud him nor ...
/.../malchion/the epistle of malchion/i the epistle written by malchion.htm

Applaud (1 Occurrence)
... to approve. 3. (vi) To express approbation loudly or significantly.
Multi-Version Concordance Applaud (1 Occurrence). Romans 1:32 ...
/a/applaud.htm - 7k

Apple (8 Occurrences)

/a/apple.htm - 17k

Theirs (96 Occurrences)
... which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death,
they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do ...
/t/theirs.htm - 37k

Encourage (34 Occurrences)
... which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death,
they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do ...
/e/encourage.htm - 16k

Deserve (40 Occurrences)
... which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death,
they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do ...
/d/deserve.htm - 18k

Praise (487 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To commend; to applaud; to express
approbation of; to laud; -- applied to a person or his acts. ...
/p/praise.htm - 47k

Practise (52 Occurrences)
... which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death,
they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do ...
/p/practise.htm - 22k

Pronounces (5 Occurrences)
... which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death,
they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do ...
/p/pronounces.htm - 7k

Clap (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud;
as, to clap a performance. 4. (vt) To express contempt or derision. ...
/c/clap.htm - 11k

Cheer (22 Occurrences)
... solace or comfort. 8. (vt) To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on
by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase. 9. (vi) To grow ...
/c/cheer.htm - 16k

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