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Psalms 150

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Where and Why to Praise God 1–2

1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. ​
2
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. ​

Instruments and Every Breath of Praise 3–6

3
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. ​
5
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. ​

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 150

Verse 1

The call to praise is simultaneously localized ('sanctuary,' referring to the earthly temple) and cosmic ('firmament of his power,' referring to the heavens), emphasizing the universality of God’s dominion.

Verse 2

The motivation for praise is twofold: it is grounded in God's historical intervention ('mighty acts') and His inherent, transcendent glory ('excellent greatness').

Verse 4

The inclusion of both 'timbrel' (a tambourine) and 'dance' confirms that ancient Hebrew worship was often physically expressive and celebratory, integrating movement and percussion into joyous adoration.

Verse 6

This verse acts as the climactic and universal conclusion not only to Psalm 150 but to the entire five-book Psalter, commanding that every living creature ('every thing that hath breath') participate in the glorification of the LORD.