Psalm 150

Psa 150:1

See Psalms, "Hallelujah".

"The final psalm concludes and climaxes the whole psalter. It presents the picture of universal praise, stemming from the temple in Zion, the joy of all the earth. It is the grand finale, and all who love Yahweh's Word, and fulfil His desires in life will see it" (GEM).

SANCTUARY: Sw "holiness" in Psa 99:3,5,9.

MIGHTY HEAVENS: That is, among the angels and in the stars (cp Psa 148:1-4). But since all the rest of the psalm is about the praise of God on earth, why the brief allusions to angels? Because: (a) Angels have every right to share, with unrestrained gladness, in the highest moments of God's creative and redemptive work (Job 38:7; Isa 37:36; Luke 2:13,14; Rev 5:11-13). (b) Is not the chief ministry of angels associated with mankind, to the glory of God (Heb 1:14; Psa 34:7; Mat 18:10)? (c) Psa 148 (vv 1-6,7-14) has set the pattern.

Psa 150:3

Vv 3-5: Praise in the Temple musical services.

Psa 150:4

DANCING: Dance is the only non-instrument in vv 3-5. But it is necessary here, because a timbrel, or tambourine, is rather pointless if unaccompanied by dancing.

Psa 150:6

EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH: Of all living creatures that have breath, only humans can truly praise the Lord. Literally the phrase is: "Every breath", with ref to Gen 2:7. Finally God's human race is fulfilling to perfection the divine intention in creation.

Psalm 150 is more than an artistic conclusion to a book of hymns and prayers. It is a prophecy... of the last result of the devout life, and of the last result of all God's works in the earth.

When the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God, and when the blessed have been invited to receive that kingdom prepared for them -- then... there will be assembled on mount Zion the great multitude, who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of all nations and peoples and tongues. Surely there will first be a great hush among that magnificent host, as the Lord enters His holy temple, and "all the earth keeps silence before Him" (Hab 2:20). This will be the most eloquent silence the world has ever known. What thoughts will then fill the hearts of God's people!

Then from the players gathered in their thousands, the music... beginning softly... will rise steadily to a triumphant crescendo of praise. All kinds of instruments will be employed: trumpets to rouse, harps to soothe, organs for solemnity, timbrels for rhythm, cymbals for emphasis. And with it all, every one who has breath, knowing and fully understanding the purpose of that God-given breath, will praise the Lord in the song which no man hitherto could sing -- the song of Moses and the Lamb (Rev 14:3; 15:3). This universality of praise will be the keynote of all life, when at last, in fulfillment of every consecrated hope since time began, "the tabernacle of God will dwell with men" (Rev 21:3), and God Himself will be "All in All" (1Co 15:28).

In awed contemplation of such a picture, we hear the still small voice of God's Spirit whispering even now in the ear of conscience: "Praise ye the Lord." Amen.