There is perhaps nothing more wonderful and amazing then to see a person using their God-given talents and abilities to be a light to the world and to bring praise and honor to Him who is the Giver of the gifts that they have been given. Such is the case of two multi-talented teenagers who are members of the world-renowned One Voice Children’s Choir, 13 -year-old Reese Oliveira and 15-year-old Easton Shane.

Recently these two uniquely talented young people combined their talents and blended their voices to render a magnificent Christian rendition of the popular song “Hallelujah,” written by Canadian-Jewish musician Leonard Cohen and originally released on his album Various Positions in 1984. Their beautiful cover of the song was released on Reese Oliveira’s YouTube channel on Friday, 6 July 2018.

The word “Hallelujah” (may also be spelled “Alleluia”) means “God be praised” or “Praise the Lord!” and is uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing. The term is used 24 times in the Old Testament book of Psalms and four times in the New Testament Book of Revelation. In the Hebrew Bible “hallelujah” is a two-word phrase, not one word. The word “hallel” in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song or to boast in God. The word “jah” or “yah” is translated as “the LORD”, or “YHWH”. Thus, “hallelujah” is literally a joyous song of praise to the Lord.

The Psalmist declared, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Psalm 146:1,2). As Reese Oliveira and Easton Shane sing their rendition of “Hallelujah,” their distinctive vocals flawlessly mesh together to result in a remarkable, harmonious, joyous song of praise and adoration. It is almost as if we can hear, “as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).