Psalms 150

The Psalter ends with a burst of praise. The psalm answers where to praise God, why, how, and who should praise him. Every instrument and every living creature is called to join, and the whole book of Psalms closes on one word: Hallelujah.

Psalms 150:1

The psalm opens and closes with Hallelujah, a call to praise the LORD. God is praised in his sanctuary, where his people gather, and in the heavens, which show his power. Praise belongs both to earth’s worship and to the whole created order.

BSA: sanctuary (“holy place, sacred temple”): God is praised in the place set apart for meeting with him. mighty (“powerful, strong”): The skies themselves display God’s strength and invite praise.

Hebrew: הַלְלוּ (halelu, H1984) — “praise! (a plural command).” This is a command to a whole company, not just one person. It is the root of the word Hallelujah, meaning ‘praise Jah’, that is, the LORD. The psalm uses it again and again.

See also: Psalm 19:1; Psalm 96:6.

Psalms 150:2

Here are the reasons for praise: what God has done and who he is. His mighty acts include creation and rescue, and his greatness cannot be measured. Praise is not empty noise. It answers real deeds and a real character.

BSA: excellent (“abundant, magnificent”): God’s greatness is overflowing, more than we can take in. greatness (“magnitude, grandeur”): His size and splendor set the standard for how fully we should praise him.

See also: Psalm 145:3; Psalm 106:2.

Psalms 150:3

Now the how begins, with instruments. The horn, a ram’s horn trumpet, sounded to call and announce in Israel’s worship. The harp and lyre were stringed instruments often used in the temple. Music is given its proper use here: to lift up God.

BSA: horn (“trumpet”): Its loud blast announces that the King is to be honored. praise (“with joyful celebration”): This is praise with gladness, not a dull duty.

Hebrew: שׁוֹפָר (shofar, H7782) — “ram’s horn trumpet.” The shofar was used to gather the people, mark feasts and proclaim the king. Its sound was a public announcement.

See also: Psalm 98:6.

Psalms 150:4

Praise includes rhythm, movement and strings. The tambourine was a hand drum, often played with dancing, as when Miriam led Israel’s women after the sea crossing. The body joins in, so praise is whole-person worship. Strings and flute add the sweetness of melody.

BSA: dancing (“in a circle, with celebration”): The dance is a joyful, shared celebration, not a performance.

See also: Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6:14.

Psalms 150:5

The loudest instruments come last. Cymbals clash and ring out, adding a bright, ringing crash to the music. The psalm builds to a crescendo of triumph. Nothing in the orchestra is too loud or too small to be given to God.

BSA: resounding (“high-sounding, buzzing”): The cymbals ring out sharp and penetrating, carrying the praise far. cymbals (“with triumphant music”): The sound is that of victory, celebrating what God has won.

See also: 1 Chronicles 15:16.

Psalms 150:6

The last call goes to everyone. Anything that draws breath is summoned to praise the LORD, because breath itself is his gift. The Psalter closes with Hallelujah, the way every life is meant to end and begin: in praise.

BSA: breath (“spirit, wind, or the essence of life”): Life itself is God’s gift, so every living thing owes him praise. LORD (“Jah, the self-existent One”): The name points to the God who simply is, the source of all else.

Hebrew: נְשָׁמָה (neshamah, H5397) — “breath.” This is the word used when God breathed life into Adam. Every breath is a loan from him, so every breath can become praise.

See also: Genesis 2:7; Revelation 5:13.