Last week Theology 101 dealt with the idea of wholehearted praise. This week takes a closer look at the discipline of praising the Lord by dwelling on the concluding psalm of what is often called the “songbook” of the people of God at worship. Very early this biblical book became known as Sepher Tehillim — “the Book of Praises” or later as simply Tehillim — “Praises.”
The vast majority of the psalms contains some expression of praise. This week’s focus is on the concluding “song.” Every verse of Psalm 150 contains two or more exhortations for God’s people to praise Him. Hence, more than a dozen times, praising the Lord is the theme. With Psalm 150 as the guide, take note of how the Bible’s book of praises addresses the where, why, how and who of praising the Lord.
Where to praise
The opening verse of the psalm tells us that praise is to be offered in the Lord’s house and in His heaven. Praise is to be heard in the sanctuary or place of worship. Not only is the church to be a house of prayer (Matt. 21:13), but it also should be known as a house of praise.
Additionally, the praise of God is to be heard in His mighty firmament or expanse of heaven.
The second verse of Psalm 150 draws attention to why such praise should be offered. The reason is twofold: for what He does and for Who He is. What the Lord does is termed His mighty acts or powerful deeds. Not only does His conduct give birth to praise, but His character does as well.
God’s abundant and excellent greatness call for praises. A season of meditation on His perfection is motivation for ceaseless praise.
How to praise
The next three verses catalog the vast variety of means to sound the Lord’s praises: wind instruments, stringed instruments and percussion instruments. To these accompaniments, the list adds the dancing of the worshippers themselves. These means are not for human demonstrations that seek to garner recognition or praise for the performers but are intended to extol the greatness of the Lord.
The final verse of the psalm answers the question of who should praise the Lord with the summary expression: “everything that breathes.” Every living creature is envisioned as engaged in praising the Lord. Dare any of us choose to opt out?
Fittingly the psalm ends as it began, with a hallelujah or “praise the Lord.”
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