Reflections on Psalm 150

 

Psalms 150 (Contemporary English Version)


1. Shout praises to the LORD! Praise God in his temple. Praise him in heaven, his mighty fortress.
   
2. Praise our God! His deeds are wonderful, too marvelous to describe.
   
3. Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps.
   
4. Praise him with tambourines and dancing, with stringed instruments and woodwinds.
   
5. Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals.
   
6. Let every living creature praise the LORD. Shout praises to the LORD!
   

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This 150th Psalm is an appropriate conclusion to the book of Psalms. Its only focus is on praising God and how to do that. As the Believer's Bible Commentary points out, it answers the questions: Where, What, How and Who? Where should praise be given? In His sanctuary and in His mighty heavens. In other words, everywhere. For what should we praise? For God's powerful acts and abundant greatness. How should we praise Him? With every instrument available to us (trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, flute, strings, and cymbals), and with animation as with dancing. Who should give praise? Everything that breathes.

This is a call for praise sent out to all creation. Mankind is the only part of God's creation among whom many choose not to praise their Creator. No, of course we have never heard a horse or cow or dog give God praise, but their existence gives praise, as does the existence of mankind. Mankind, however, is the only part of creation with the ability to vocalize praise and with this ability chooses, in many cases, not to do so. He is at the pinnacle of God's creation, given a choice of whether or not he will praise his creator, and with that choice many decline. But God has decreed that there will be a time when everyone will swear allegiance to Him, as stated in Isaiah 45:23, "By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance." I choose to praise my Creator while I am able and while I can do so by choice.