Amen

Amen

“Let the Church say Amen” is not just a song, it is often an integral part of the service and, in the emotion of an exciting sermon, it is heard often. What does it mean when we say “Amen”?
Do we understand that when we say “Amen” we are saying that we agree with what is being said. Are we careful about our agreements?

Synonyms: truly, "fair dinkum"

Related ideas: truth, prayer, agreement

Greek References: αμην Amen translated by Luke as αληθος aleethos, truly (Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27).

Definition: Amen is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition.

So be it: said or sung at the end of a prayer or hymn to affirm its content

expressing strong agreement: used to express strong agreement
"amen to that"

affirmation in prayer: an indication, at the end of a prayer or hymn, that the person praying or singing affirms its content

Scripture chain:

Doxology and Benediction (praise and blessing)
Psa 41:13 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen"
Mtt 6:13 "Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen."
Rev 22:20-21 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen"
Rom 11:36, 15:33 [typical doxology and benediction]
Solemn pronouncement
Neh 5:13 Neh 8:6 "All the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands"
Rom 1:25, 9:1-5 [typical solemn affirmations]
Psa 72:19; 89:52 [Endings to books of Psalms]
Thanksgiving
1Co 14:15-16 "...say the Amen at your giving of thanks..."

Comment: In the Bible, "Amen" is almost always the last word of a solemn statement such as a benediction or doxology. Jesus however would often use it at the beginning of a solemn statement by saying "Verily" or "Truly". This is actually the word "Amen".
http://members.net-tech.com.au/sggram/f659.htm

It was interesting to look up the word “Amen” in the dictionary. It was much more interesting to look up the word in the Bible. I’ve included some scriptures which touched me and invite you to do your own search.



Isaiah 65:16
"That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes."
Both these words that are translated truth are the Hebrew word [amen]. Thus it is declaring by the God of Amen, Jehovah God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). In this context this word is expressing God's faithfulness. That He alone is the Amen, the God of truth. Indeed, the Lord is the very essence of truth. So by comparing scripture with scripture and allowing it to be it's own dictionary and interpreter, we can come to sound conclusions about what words really mean in scripture. Amen is thereby defined as truth. And not only in the Old Testament, this understanding of the word continues to be made manifest in the New Testament.

Revelation 3:14
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;"
Christ "is" the Truth both in person and in Spirit, so that He fulfills God's faithfulness to His people. i.e., whatever the Lord declares surely will come to pass.

John 8:51
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
The word translated 'verily' is that very same Hebrew word [amen], and it means that what is now being said is most assuredly, truth. Christ is saying, "Of a truth (truthfully) I say unto you." He is making a statement of "absolute" certainty. And Christ used "amen" to introduce statements as being sure on a number of occasions. What does amen mean

John 13:38
"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."
Again, the word translated "verily" is the Hebrew word [amen]. Verily or [amen] thus means truthfully or truly. God is emphasizing here the absolute truth that there is no possibility that Peter would not deny Him three times. Amen, Amen, it was going to occur.

Deuteronomy 27:14-15
"And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 27:20-23
"Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen."

When you say Amen, it really should be considered a solemn oath of agreement before God, which should never be uttered lightly.

May God always be a blessing in your life!!!