And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which has extolled it for ever.
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Bede
AD 735
Thus our custom is to chant “Alleluia” more frequently and happily during these fifty days in memory of this, our most peaceful and blissful action. Alleluia is a Hebrew word, and in Latin it means “praise the Lord!” Accordingly, where we chant in the psalms, “Praise the Lord,” in place of this expression among the Jews “Alleluia” is always chanted. In his book of Revelation, John the Evangelist mentions that he had heard the throngs of heavenly virtues singing it. And when the venerable father Tobit had understood from an angelic vision what the glory of the citizens on high is, and the great brightness of the heavenly Jerusalem, he said the following with mystical voice, “All its streets are paved with precious and shining stones, and throughout all its districts ‘Alleluia’ will be sung.”
It is most proper and beautiful that a general custom has prevailed in holy church of all the faithful throughout the world singing this word of praise in the Hebrew language, out of reverence for t...
So as to gladden you in the promise of the joy to come, you know the songs of eternal praise that are written in this book, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; forever they will sing your praise!” And how through a certain wise man it is said of the heavenly Jerusalem, “All your squares will be paved with precious stones, and in all your streets they will sing alleluia.” This song of the eternal homeland was proclaimed to us by its citizens, who together cried out, “Glory to God in the highest heavens, and peace on earth to people of good will.” - "Homilies on Ezekiel 1.9.34"
Will I ever be able to see what is so desirable, what the angels long to gaze on, so I can say, “Look, now I see what I have so longed for, what I wanted I now possess!”? When will I come and appear before the face of the Lord, to contemplate him in the blessedness of his elect, to know the joy of his people and to glory in his inheritance? When will I see that city of which it is said, “Your squares, Jerusalem, will be paved with pure gold, and in you will resound a hymn of exultation, and in all your streets they will say, ‘Alleluia!’ ”? O holy city, O splendid city! I salute you from afar, I invoke you, I seek you. I desire to see you and to rest in you, but the flesh that holds me back does not let me do so. O desirable city! Your walls are a single stone, your guardian will be God, your citizens will always be glad, since they enjoy forever the vision of God. There is no corruption in you, or defect, or old age or anger—but perennial peace, unchanging glory, eternal joy, continual...
