Video for Psalm 150:
Each of the five divisions of the Book of Psalms closes with a doxology (Psalm 41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, 106:48). This entire psalm can be seen as a doxology that not only closes the fifth and final volume of the collected psalms, but also closes the entire Book of Psalms.
Psalm 150 contains no argument, no real teaching, no real explanation. It is an eloquent, passionate cry to all creation to give Yahweh the praise due to Him.
“The psalm is more than an artistic close of the Psalter: it is a prophecy of the last result of the devout life, and, in its unclouded sunniness, as well as in its universality, it proclaims the certain end of the weary years for the individual and for the world.” (Alexander Maclaren)
A. Unlimited praise to the God who is unlimited in His greatness.
1. (1) In every place, praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
a. Praise the LORD: This last of the five ending psalms shares the same beginning and ending line as the previous four. Yahweh is praised, and His people are encouraged, exhorted to praise Him. No crisis or enemy is in view; this is pure praise.
b. Praise God in His sanctuary: The sanctuary of God is a most fitting place for His praise. It is a place set apart for His honor, and involves special recognition of His presence. If Yahweh is to be praised anywhere, it should be in His sanctuary.
i. In light of the New Covenant, we realize that God’s sanctuary is not fixed to a particular building in Jerusalem.
·Jesus serves His people in a sanctuary in the heavens (Hebrews 8:1-2).
·Jesus makes His sanctuary among His people collectively (2 Corinthians 6:16).
·Jesus makes His sanctuary in the individual believer (1 Corinthians 3:16).
·Ultimately, Jesus Himself will be the sanctuary of God among His people (Revelation 21:22).
ii. Praise God in His sanctuary: “In many places we have the compound word halelu-yah, praise ye Jehovah; but this is the first place in which we find halelu-el, praise God, or the strong God.” (Clarke)
c. Praise Him in His mighty firmament: The wide expanse of sky, with all its might in storms and weather, is also a fitting place to praise God. Since the firmament stretches from horizon to horizon, it tells us that God should be praised in every place under the sky.
i. “His glory fills the universe; his praise must do no less.” (Kidner)
ii. In His mighty firmament: “Through the whole expanse, to the utmost limits of his power…. Praise him whose power and goodness extend through all worlds; and let the inhabitants of all those worlds share in the grand chorus, that it may be universal.” (Clarke)
2. (2) For every reason, praise the LORD.
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
a. Praise Him for His mighty acts: God’s mighty acts are one reason to praise God in every place. He has done great and powerful things, especially what Jesus accomplished at the cross and the empty tomb. The singer of this psalm had only shadowy knowledge of it, but the ultimate demonstration of God’s power would come in the resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 1:19-20). For this and all His mighty acts, we should praise Him.
i. “‘His mighty deeds’ might be rendered ‘His heroic [or, valiant] acts.’ The reference is to His deliverance of His people as a clear manifestation of prowess or conquering might.” (Maclaren)
ii. “‘Mighty’ were the ‘acts’ which God wrought for Israel; and ‘great’ was the Holy One in the midst of his ancient people; but mightier acts did he perform in Christ Jesus, for the redemption of the world.” (Horne)
b. Praise Him according to His excellent greatness: While it is right to praise God for the mighty things He does, there is perhaps something even greater in praising Him for who He is, in all the excellence of His greatness. This greatness surpasses all else in the entire universe, excellent above all.
i. His excellent greatness: “…or, Greatness of greatness; which yet can never be done, but must be endeavoured.” (Trapp)
3. (3-5) With every expression, praise the LORD.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
a. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: The psalmist referred to an orchestra of God’s people and conducted their music in praise to God. There was to be no instrument left out. Brass, string, wind, and percussion must all join in the praise of a God so great.
i. There was good reason to mention the trumpet first in this long list. “The sound of trumpet is associated with the grandest and most solemn events, such as the giving of the law, the proclamation of jubilee, the coronation of Jewish kings, and the raging of war. It is to be thought of in reference to the coming of our Lord in his second advent and the raising of the dead.” (Spurgeon)
ii. Adam Clarke described what he believed each musical instrument here mentioned to be.
·Trumpet: “Sophar, from its noble, cheering, and majestic sound.”
·Lute: “Nebel; the nabla, a hollow stringed instrument; perhaps like the guitar.”
·Harp: “Kinnor, another stringed instrument, played on with the hands or fingers.”
·Timbrel: “Toph, drum, tabret, or tomtom, or tympanum of the ancients; a skin stretched over a broad hoop; perhaps something like the tambourine.”
·Dance: “Machol, the pipe…it never means dance; see note on Psalm 149:3.”
·Stringed instruments: “Minnim. This literally signifies strings put in order; perhaps a triangular kind of hollow instrument on which the strings were regularly placed, growing shorter and shorter till they came to a point.”
·Flutes: “Ugab. Very likely the syrinx or mouth organ; Pan’s pipe; both of the ancients and moderns.”
·Loud cymbals: “Tseltselim. Two hollow plates of brass, which, being struck together, produced a sharp clanging sound.”
·Clashing cymbals: “[Perhaps] those of a larger make, struck above the head, and consequently emitting a louder sound.”
iii. “The list of instruments is not meant to be comprehensive, though it may be. We do not know what instruments the ancient Jews had. The point is actually that everything you have can be used to worship God.” (Boice)
iv. The broad list of musical instruments tells us that God wants every class and group of people to praise Him, because these instruments were normally played by different types of people. “The horn was the curved ‘Shophar,’ blown by the priests; harp and psaltery were played by the Levites, timbrels were struck by women [as they were] dancing, playing on stringed instruments, and pipes and cymbals, were not reserved for the Levites.” (Maclaren)
b. Praise Him with loud cymbals: The individual instruments must be played with strength and celebration, and the collection of them together would fill the room with sound. This was not halting or hesitant praise – just like the love and goodness of God are not halting or hesitant toward us in any way.
i. “Let’s be done with worship that is always weak and unexciting. If you cannot sing loudly and make loud music to praise the God who has redeemed you in Jesus Christ and is preparing you for heaven, perhaps it is because you do not really know God or the gospel at all. If you do know him, hallelujah.” (Boice)
4. (6) With every available breath, praise the LORD.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
a. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD: This is a remarkably fitting conclusion to this psalm and to the entire Book of Psalms. Everything that breathes should give its praise to the One who gave it breath. Every breath is the gift of God and praise is the worthy response we should make for that gift.
i. Derek Kidner noted that the literal phrase is, “Let all breath praise the Lord.”
ii. John Trapp wrote, “Or, Let every breath praise the Lord…. We have all as much reason to praise God as we have need to draw breath.”
iii. “The word nesamah [has breath] denotes all living creatures, endowed with life by the Creator (Genesis 1:24-25; 7:21-22), but always in distinction from the Creator.” (VanGemeren)
iv. “The one condition of praise is the possession of breath, that is to say, life received from Him must return in praise to Him.” (Morgan)
v. Revelation 5:13 tells us that this will happen: And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
b. Praise the LORD: The last line of the Psalter could be nothing else than Hallelujah! Yahweh is to be praised and honored, and will be so among His people and all creation.
i. “The psalter begins with ‘Blessed,’ and ends with ‘Hallelujah.’” (Meyer)
ii. “Your life may resemble the psalter with its varying moods, its light and shadow, its sob and smile; but it will end with hallelujahs, if only you will keep true to the will and way and work of the Most Holy.” (Meyer)
(c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
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Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 150? ›
Psalm 150 is a climactic conclusion to a collection of five praise Psalms (146–150) where everyone and everything are to praise God everywhere. This psalm speaks of the ultimate end of a life that has encountered God. This final psalm presents the basic questions and sets forth the biblical pattern of praise.
What is the message of Psalm 150? ›Psalm 150 is a climactic conclusion to a collection of five praise Psalms (146–150) where everyone and everything are to praise God everywhere. This psalm speaks of the ultimate end of a life that has encountered God. This final psalm presents the basic questions and sets forth the biblical pattern of praise.
What is meant by let everything that has breath praise the Lord? ›a. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD: This is a remarkably fitting conclusion to this psalm and to the entire Book of Psalms. Everything that breathes should give its praise to the One who gave it breath. Every breath is the gift of God and praise is the worthy response we should make for that gift.
What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the LORD? ›Make a joyful noise to the Lord” says the Psalm writer. The Hebrew word for “noise” is ruwa, meaning to shout in applause, to cry out in triumph. It is an energetic word that comes straight from the heart. Verses 1-3 of Psalm 100 were probably sung by worshipers approaching the temple for worship.
What does enter his gates with thanksgiving mean? ›In Psalm 100:4, we are told to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” When we come to God, we have so many reasons to thank Him. Jesus is the greatest of all these reasons. Bringing thankfulness and praise to God is a way to worship Him.
Why did David write Psalms 150? ›The Story of Psalm 150
Someone wrote it to finish the Book of Psalms. This was perhaps after the *exile. The *exile was 600 years before Jesus came to the earth. Babylon was a country 800 kilometres east of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
How do you activate the power of praise? ›You can activate the power of praise just as king Jehoshaphat did; when trouble strikes, praise the Lord and you'll stir up confusion in satan's camp. You don't have to wait till you feel like singing before you do; just go ahead and make melodies or sing praises to the Lord.
Is our breath a gift from God? ›Genesis 2:7, KJV, tells us this: “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Every inhale and exhale of breath is a gift from God. And all of us must breathe in order to live.
What is the purpose of praise to God? ›The purpose of praise and worship—as it relates to singing, dancing, and praying—is to create an intimate space between you and the Lord, allowing Him to speak directly to your heart in such a way you are drawn nearer to Him. As a result, He is glorified, and you go deeper into your identity in Him.
How to hear the sound of God? ›
- Position yourself close to God. Samuel set his bed up in the temple, “where the ark of God was” (v. ...
- Find a place of regular service to God. In v. ...
- Listen for God's voice. ...
- When God calls, respond eagerly. ...
- When God speaks, obey Him. ...
- Read and study the Word of God.
The psalmist vows to use God's Word to shine a light on his path. He's not suggesting that God's Word shines a light on the future, as if he could sneak a peek into events that would take place tomorrow or next year. He is saying that God's Word helps him to understand right from wrong as he faces choices today.
What does it mean to cry unto the Lord? ›Crying out to God is an admission of one's coming to the end of self and placing hope in God alone. The psalmist declared, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
What is a gate spiritually? ›A gate is an exit or entry point. There are twotypes of gates, the physical and the spiritual gates; every physical gate has acorresponding spiritual gate! Before you conquer a physical gate, it'simperative that you conquer a spiritual gate.
What is the significance of sitting in the gate in the Bible? ›'Justice in the gate'
The gate of the city was also a podium for the Israelite prophets of old, the feisty social reformers of their day. “Hate evil and love good,” declaimed Amos, “and establish justice in the gate.”
the name of one of the gates of the temple ( Acts 3:2 ). It is supposed to have been the door which led from the court of the Gentiles to the court of the women. It was of massive structure, and covered with plates of Corinthian brass.
What is Psalm 150 called? ›Psalm 150 is the 150th and final psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary". In Latin, it is known as "Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius".
Is Psalm 150 a doxology? ›Psalm 150 also functions as a doxology to the entire book. The final psalm closes not only the fifth book of the psalter, but the whole psalter as well. The psalm lists no reasons why one should praise, but only the imperative to do so: Praise Yhwh!
What Psalms did David cry out? ›"When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted," David wrote in Psalm 77:2 (NIV). He continued in verse 3-6: "I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
How long does it take to pray all 150 psalms? ›On one day then I wrote in my journal: “150 psalms prayed, 3 hours 55 minutes”. The psalms are extraordinary. There is never a day when I not only pray a substantial portion of psalmody but also spend a little time reading commentaries or devotional guides or expositions of the psalms.
How long does it take to pray 150 psalms? ›
This prayer of praise is rooted in the psalms, and if you pray all five hours for four weeks, you go through almost all 150 psalms.
What is Psalm 150 vs 1 2? ›1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his asanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
What are the three levels of praise? ›The 3 types of praise
There are three main types of praise that teachers most often use: personal praise, effort-based praise, and behavior-specific praise. Two of these three are found to be more effective than the other.
- Praise Is Positive. First, praise should always be positive. ...
- Praise Reinforces High Expectations. ...
- Praise Is Appropriate. ...
- Praise Promotes Independence. ...
- Praise Is Sincere. ...
- Praise Notes Effort and Progress. ...
- Praise can be a great motivator.
Praise is not only a command, but a gift we give to God. It's a sacrifice of our heart – giving him our best, even when we don't feel up to it. The more we praise God and give him this gift, the more we'll be filled with God's love to share with others.
What is the difference between soul and spirit? ›Our soul is reflected in our personality. The Greek word for spirit is pneuma. It refers to the part of man that connects and communicates with God. Our spirit differs from our soul because our spirit is always pointed toward and exists exclusively for God, whereas our soul can be self-centered.
What does breath mean in God? ›A breath may be quiet, but it is also a sure sign of life. God's breath is a giving of God's life. And so, the giving of God's breath suggests a reflection of his likeness. Consider the creation of the world.
What are the 7 types of praise? ›- Towdah – Sacrifice of praise.
- Yadah – Hands raised.
- Barak – Quiet voice.
- Halal – Soul rejoice.
- Zamar – Instrument Song.
- Tehilah – Sing along.
- Shabach – Shout for joy.
Praise is indeed a potent and restorative tool. It changes us for the better by refocusing our affections, realigning our priorities, and restoring our souls. Our spirit becomes more pliable, open, and receptive to receiving to God's Holy Spirit.
What happens when we praise God in difficult times? ›Praise Reminds Us that God is in control.
God is never surprised by the things that come into my life. God never says, “Wow, I didn't see that coming, I hope Billy makes it through this.” When we praise God in difficult times, we gain new hope as we remember that God is in control and is working for my good.
What are the keys to hearing God's voice? ›
#1 How to recognize God's voice as spontaneous thoughts. #2 Learning how to become still before the Lord. #3 Looking for vision as you pray. #4 Realizing the importance of two-way journaling.
Why does God answer some prayers but not all? ›He always has greater purposes than simply being a genie who will grant our wishes. God always answers our prayers but often doesn't do so in the timing we want or the ways we prefer. His answers may come as a “Yes,” or a “No,” or a “Wait.” The waiting is the hardest part.
What is the voice of God called? ›In rabbinic Judaism, such a voice was known as a bat kol (Hebrew: בַּת קוֹל baṯ qōl, literally "daughter of voice"), and was a "heavenly or divine voice which proclaims God's will or judgment." It differed from prophecy in that God had a close relationship with the prophet, while the bat kol could be heard by any ...
What does the lamp mean spiritually? ›Life, the LIGHT of divinity, wisdom, intellect, and good works are all manifestations of the symbolic nature of the lamp. Lamps can also be a gateway to another plane, as in the story of Aladdin and the genie. Brings protection against dark demons, and can be the illumination of the spirit.
What is holy to the dogs? ›The most likely meaning of “Don't throw what is holy to the dogs,” then, is “Don't treat what is holy and godly as being common and profane.” Unholy things are thrown to the dogs; holy things are meant to be kept and treasured.
How does God's Word guide us? ›God speaks, and He does so through His Word. God uses His Word to teach, rebuke, correct, and instruct His people (2 Tim. 3:16). The preaching of God's Word, therefore, should have a central place among the people of God wherein they receive His Word, share His Word, and live out His Word together.
Does the Holy Spirit make you cry? ›Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself” (in Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 99).
Are tears a form of prayer? ›Joyful sorrow
Whether they result from physical pain, from emotional pain, or from an encounter with goodness and beauty, one of the gifts of tears is precisely that we pray through them. All of our tears have been taken into the divine life by Jesus, the one who has wept with us.
Psalm 9:9. “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” The Good News: Depression can make you feel as though you're weighed down. But no matter how troubled you feel, this verse reminds you that the Lord is always there to support you.
How is Jesus a gate? ›Jesus is not only the gate for protection, but also the gate for provision. In order for sheep to find green pastures, they need to go out through the gate and follow the shepherd. Jesus said, “They will come in, and go out, and find pasture.” Psalm 23:1-3 illustrate this very well.
What is open door according to the Bible? ›
Open doors give us access to some blessings, places, people and opportunities. Revelation 3:7 described Jesus as the One that opens a door, which no one can shut, and the One that shuts a door, which no one can open.
What are the 12 gates in Revelation? ›In the Book of Revelations (Revelation 21:12), there is reference to the twelve gates, each of which represents a different passageway to heaven. Additionally, in folklore and mythology, it is commonly believed that there exists twelve gates, or entrances, to the underworld.
Why did Jesus say he was the gate? ›Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
Why is Jesus seated at the right hand if he is God? ›The “right hand” is seen as a place of honor and status throughout the biblical text. When the Bible makes statements that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, it is affirming that he has equal status to the Father within the Godhead (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 7:55-56).
What was the name of the gate in the Bible? ›Pearly gates is an informal name for the gateway to Heaven according to some Christian denominations. It is inspired by the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:21: "The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate being made from a single pearl."
What did Jesus say about the gate? ›Instead, look to Jesus and enter in. He whispers to us, “I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
What are the two gates in the Bible? ›Take, for example, Matthew chapter 7, when Jesus compared two types of gates—a narrow gate and a wide gate; two types of trees—one that produces good fruit, the other bad fruit; and finally, two houses—one built on rock, the other on sand. These stories are actually warnings to us.
What are the seven gates in the Bible? ›The seven gates at the time of Suleiman were, clockwise and by their current name: the Damascus Gate; Herod's Gate; Lions' Gate; Golden Gate; Dung Gate; Zion Gate; and Jaffa Gate.
What does the wrath of man shall praise you mean? ›THUS the wrath of man is made to praise God, by giving Mankind deep Impressions of that infinite Power, Wisdom and Justice, that governs the World. Such Impressions it is necessary for Mankind to have; and, in their present imperfect State, they can only receive them from something that is sensible and striking.
What is the powerful message in Psalms? ›The book of Psalms is widely viewed as the most popular book of the Bible. The main theme and focus of the Psalms are on God's power and goodness. The author uses poetry to convey thoughts of hope for the future, praise for God as sovereign Creator of all, dependence upon God, and God's faithfulness.
What is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God? ›
Prayer is the raising of our hearts and minds to God.
What is the lesson from Psalm 150 6? ›Psalm 150:6 Praises the Life that God Gives
God, I pray that you would help us all to live to praise you because this is where life is found. This is where joy is found. It's all over these Psalms. Every verse in Psalm 148, 49, 150, there's exclamation points at the end of it because this is joy.
God Hands Us Over
When humans do great evil and stop representing God's Kingdom in the world, he “hands them over” to the death and disorder they have unleashed in creation. And that phrase, “he handed them over,” is one of the most common ways that God expresses his anger in the biblical story.
God's wrath is revealed now.
How does God reveal his wrath when sinners suppress the truth about him, exchange the truth for a lie, and worship created things rather than the Creator? God gives them up (Romans 1): Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity (1:24).
God's wrath is not angry retribution against those who have offended God. Rather it is his righteous judgment against those who do evil. God is righteous. And he will judge us according to His righteous standard. God's wrath against sinners is nothing more than giving them what they deserve.
What is the most beautiful psalm in the Bible? ›Psalm 139 gets my vote for being the most beautiful of the psalms in the King James version.
What is the most powerful prayer to God? ›It is called the "Jesus Prayer", and it consists simply in uttering the single word "Jesus" (or "Lord Jesus", or "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner") in any situation, at any time and place, either aloud or silently.
What is the most powerful prayer in the Bible? ›The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): “'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
How does God guard our hearts and minds? ›The Lord means for us to guard our hearts by filtering our emotions, desires, thoughts, and responses through his Word. He is the watchman that protects our souls. And what's his primary means of defense? The sword of Scripture.
How does God lift us up? ›- To be lifted up by God means that He steps in and changes our position or status. - Psalm 145:14 'The LORD upholds all who fall and LIFTS UP all who are bowed down. ' - People who feel discouraged are very important to the Lord.
What does it mean for God to lift your head? ›
So, to “lift one's head” means that one's fortunes are restored. It means that their heads, which were once bowed in sorrow, will then be lifted up in joy. David says here that it is GOD who will do that for Him.
What did Spurgeon say about Psalm 150? ›Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
His being is unlimited, and his praise should correspond therewith. He possesses a multitude or a plenitude of greatness, and therefore he should be greatly praised. There is nothing little about God, and there is nothing great apart from him.
We can take strength in knowing that all the hard experiences in this life are temporary; even the darkest nights turn into dawn for the faithful. When all is finished and we have endured all things with faith in Jesus Christ, we have the promise that “God shall wipe away all [the] tears from [our] eyes.”
What is Psalm 150 6 devotion? ›Praise and the people of God go together.
And then final call of the Psalmist worship leader: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!” (Ps 150:6). Yes, it's all people! But AW Tozer reminds us that “every breath” includes the Creation as it lifts up its voice to praise the Lord.