Psalm 150 concludes the entire book of Psalms, the longest book in the Bible with 150 chapters. The theme of Psalm 150, like the book of psalms itself, is praise. Each of the last five Psalms begins and ends with “Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150 is a very short Psalm with only six verses, the first five beginning with praise and takes approximately 30 seconds to read. Yet, it brings before us our need to praise God, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Verse 6). The word praise occurs no less than twelve times in this “grand finale” of the Psalms. A psalm is a sacred song or hymn used in Christian and Jewish worship. The book of psalm is also referred to as the “Psalter.” The word praise means to offer grateful homage in word or in song. The book of psalms is referred to as the “Jewish hymn book.”
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” This is supported in Proverbs 16:4, which states, “The LORD has made everything for its purpose” (that is, His glory). In Psalm 86:9, “All nations which you have made shall come and worship before you.” And also, “God created man for God’s glory” (Isaiah 43:7). God desires the praises of His people and He is worthy and deserving of them, even at times when they may be somewhat feeble. What is praise? Praise is the offering of grateful homage and adoration in words or in song as an act of worship to God. This means we have good reasons to praise God.
Some many have considered that Psalm 150 provides the where, what, how, and who of praise. Verse 1 gives the Where of praise. Not only in God’s sanctuary but everywhere. God can be praised everywhere we are. We must also praise God for What He is and what He has done for us. The How God can also be praised with different musical instruments. Finally, the Who of this psalm, which is everything that breathes. “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!”
Many christian congregations around the world sing this doxology, usually at the end of their service: “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Doxology is an expression of praise to God as part of christian worship.
Praising God should be at the heart of every christian worshipper. Praising God should essentially characterize our lives. We should praise God every day of the week. This will enhance our corporate worship on Sundays when “We enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, being thankful unto Him and bless His Name” (Psalm 100:4). Our united praise will then be like a “crescendo” sending forth a sweet fragrance into the heavenly sanctuary of God who is worthy to receive glory, honor, and praise.
Psalm 113 is another wonderful psalm that begins and ends with “Praise the Lord.” This psalm is more of an “invitational psalm,” in which we are called to praise God. We must also bear in mind that God is to be praised continually. “From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the LORD’s Name is to Praised” (verse 3). In praising God, Daniel said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are His” (Daniel 2:20).
William MacDonald wrote, “The glory of God was the purpose of creation. Therefore man finds the central reason for his existence in praising the Lord” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 782). May the christian church rise to the occasion and not be silent nor falter in praising God and rejoicing in Him from day to day. May our voices rise above and beyond the din and emptiness of this sin-defiled world. The object of praise must be to let others be aware that the Lord, He is God, who reigns supreme above.