Psalm 150 — Praise the LORD!
Introduction: This very brief concluding Psalm in the book of Psalms brings our attention clearly to our need to consistently praise the LORD, our God and Savior. The application of this Psalm for worship and praise expresses what had been appropriate for centuries even before it was written, and it continues to serve that purpose to our present day.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — Praise God in His Sanctuary and in the Firmament of His Power
Psalm 150 “1 Praise you the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.”
Comments: The first physical sanctuary was prepared by Israel while in the wilderness. Centuries later, near the end of King David’s life, he gave instruction to his son Solomon to build the sanctuary of the LORD at Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 28:9–10. The house of the LORD remained in Jerusalem for centuries until it was destroyed by the Babylonians, rebuilt when captives returned, and finally destroyed again after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Jesus had spoken of his own body as the temple (John 2:19–21). Isaiah 66:2 declares that the LORD looks to “him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” We now look to the true sanctuary which is in heaven. Hebrews 8:1–2 “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
B — Praise Him for His Mighty Acts and Excellent Greatness
Psalm 150 “2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.”
Comments: Moses reminded the children of Israel of the greatness of the acts of their God (Deuteronomy 11:2–7). Jeremiah declared that God is still all powerful: “The Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name.” Even a pagan king became vividly aware of the power and majesty of the LORD. Daniel 4:3 “How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” As the Lord entered Jerusalem, the whole multitude of disciples “began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen” (Luke 19:37). May those who love the LORD never allow our lack of praise to cause the stones to cry out!
C — Praise the Lord with Music and Dance
Psalm 150 “3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the tambourine and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him on the loud cymbals: praise him on the high sounding cymbals.”
Comments: After Israel was brought out of Egypt, Miriam the prophetess took a tambourine in her hand and all the women went out with her in dances of celebration (Exodus 15:20–21). Open celebration with music and dance was dramatically demonstrated when King David brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6:14–15 “David danced before the LORD with all his might… So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” King David also established music as a routine part of worship. 1 Chronicles 15:16 “David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.”
D — Let Everything with Breath Praise the Lord
Psalm 150 “6 Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD. Praise you the LORD.”
Comments: This final verse is a very fitting conclusion to the book of Psalms. Psalm 66:4 “All the earth shall worship you, and shall sing to you.” Psalm 100:1–2 “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 117:1 “O praise the LORD, all you nations: praise him, all you people.” Isaiah 66:23 “Shall all flesh come to worship before me, said the LORD.” Paul wrote that Jesus is the reason for both Jew and Gentile to sing and rejoice as they glorify God. Romans 15:9–12. The phrase “praise you the LORD” opens and closes each of Psalms 106, 113, 135, and each of 146 through 150. The book of Psalms contains history, prophecy, praise of many attributes of the LORD, and a wide variety of expressions of personal highs and lows in life. But with this reminder so often recorded, and the phrase used of the Holy Spirit to close the Psalms, everyone who knows the Lord should certainly take to heart this reminder to “praise you the LORD!”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to look to that perpetual sanctuary in the firmament of the heavens where the Lord pitched the true tabernacle not made by the hand of man. I want to have a contrite spirit that reflects the awe I have for your Word, which teaches me of your mighty acts for those that you love. And because you have shown love to me through your excellent greatness, I want to respond in love by keeping your commandments and judgments as I praise you with my whole heart. May my praise be open and bold for your mighty works, my King and Savior, so I won’t be shamed by having the stones cry out in my place. Thank you Lord for music and dance that praises you, as it can lift my spirit even as I join in that process by enjoying the talents that you have given to others by your gifts. I look forward to the time when everything, without exception, will give joyful and abundant praise to the Lord of heaven and earth. Amen.
Published 28 November 2012