The 150th Psalm

The 150th psalm is a psalm of praise to the Sovereign God who is  enthroned in heaven. The word ‘praise’ means to express admiration, approval, or heartfelt gratitude to someone. The theme of the last five psalms is about “Praise to God.” All five psalms begin and end with these words “Praise the LORD.” 

Praise represents our commitment, dedication and devotion to Almighty God. Some of us will recall the opening line of a popular old hymn that reads, “Praise to the Lord, the King of creation. O my soul praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation. “

God is most worthy of worshipful praise from His people. Psalm 147:1 clearly states: “Praise the LORD; for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is fitting.”

This wonderful all-encompassing 150th Psalm is comparatively brief, with only six short verses, and where praise is mentioned no less than 13 times.

Verse 1 exhorts us to “Praise God in His sanctuary.” Our praises rise and flow from  worshipful hearts to our God who is seated in the heavenly sanctuary, the Holy Place, which is also “His mighty firmament.” This means God’s holiness, divine power and magnificence are ever present in the heavenly sanctuary,

Verse 2 presents another reason to praise God “for His mighty deeds” and “according to His excellent greatness,” which go well together. King David said to God, “In the midst of the congregation I will praise you” (Psalm. 22:22). David also declared: “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3). One of God’s great attributes is His “omnipotence,” that is, having infinite power over all things and at all times. He created the universe and all things in it.

Verse 3 states that God is to be praised with “trumpet, lute, and harp.” Musical instruments enhance our praise to the Almighty who created in man the ability to design and make these instruments, and others to play them. The Apostle Paul said concerning the second advent of Jesus Christ, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven . . . with the sound of the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Because of its distinct clear tone, the trumpet is used in various Christian settings. Lute and harp are played individually or as part of an orchestra.

Verse 4 shows the “tambourine and dance” are used in praise to God. These instruments are associated with God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh through the Red Sea. The Bible states, “Then Miriam the prophetess, . . .  and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing” (Exodus 15:20). This was clearly an act of jubilant praise to God for His marvelous deliverance of His people .

Verse 5 says God can be praised with “sounding cymbals and loud clashing cymbals.” This could mean that the combined sound of the loud and clashing cymbals can render a joyful noise up into the very abode of the Holy One. We are also urged to “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1). Our praise to God should be accompanied by much enthusiasm and joy, thus rendering our worship and praise more glorious and acceptable.

Verse 6 concludes this beautiful 150th Psalm of infinite adoration and praise with a most fitting statement; “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” In creation, God put the breath of life into living beings. Therefore, living beings can also “breathe out” praises to their Creator in some way, shape, or form. 

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy”  (Psalm 92:1-4). 

This psalm complements the 150th Psalm as It also mentions musical instruments: “the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.”

We can praise God at any time of the day or night. We can also praise God individually or in a congregation of Christian worshipers. The main point is that we should never cease to offer praise to our heavenly Father.

The writer of Hebrews exhorts us: “Through [Jesus] let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name . . . for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:15,16).

The “Doxology,” which is a short hymn of praise to God, and is used in various forms of Christian worship reads: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above you heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”