Psalms 150:3

KJV

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

KJV (with Strong's)

Praise {H1984} him with the sound {H8629} of the trumpet {H7782}: praise {H1984} him with the psaltery {H5035} and harp {H3658}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Praise him with a blast on the shofar! Praise him with lute and lyre!

Berean Standard Bible

Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

American Standard Version

Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 150:3 is a vibrant command within the Psalter's climactic doxology, urging all creation to offer exuberant praise to God through diverse musical expressions. Specifically, it calls for the use of the trumpet, psaltery, and harp, symbolizing both the powerful, declarative aspects of worship and the melodic, contemplative dimensions. This verse underscores the comprehensive and unreserved nature of the adoration due to the Almighty, emphasizing that every available means should be employed to magnify His glorious name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 150 serves as the grand finale, the culminating doxology, not only for Book Five of the Psalter (Psalms 107-150) but for the entire collection of 150 psalms. It follows a series of Hallelujah psalms (Psalms 146-149), each beginning and ending with "Praise the Lord!" (Hallelujah). This final psalm expands the scope of praise, moving from the specific community of Israel to encompass all living things and all forms of expression. Verse 3, by listing specific instruments, contributes to the psalm's overarching theme of comprehensive and energetic praise, building towards the universal call in [Psalms 150:6](/psalms/150-6 "Psalms 150:6 - Everything that has breath praise the Lord!"). It is a crescendo of adoration, inviting every segment of creation to participate in a symphony of worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, music was an indispensable component of religious life, deeply integrated into Temple rituals, public festivals, and private devotion. The instruments mentioned in this verse were central to Israelite worship. The **trumpet** (Hebrew: *shôwphâr*) was often a ram's horn, used for solemn announcements, signaling assemblies, war, or the advent of new moons and festivals, as seen in [Numbers 10:10](/numbers/10-10 "Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets for Feasts and Offerings"), symbolizing a call to attention, divine presence, and declaration of God's power. The **psaltery** (Hebrew: *nebel*) and **harp** (Hebrew: *kinnôwr*) were stringed instruments, primarily used for melody, accompaniment, and often associated with joyous praise, prophecy, and personal devotion. King David, renowned as "the sweet psalmist of Israel," frequently employed the [harp in his worship](/1_samuel/16-23 "1 Samuel 16:23 - David playing the harp for Saul") and to soothe King Saul. The inclusion of both loud, wind instruments and melodious, stringed instruments highlights the comprehensive and diverse nature of Israelite worship.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 150:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Comprehensive Praise**, advocating for a full-throated, unreserved, and multi-faceted expression of adoration to God, implying that all available means and gifts should be employed in worship. This verse also highlights **Diversity in Worship**, illustrating that there are many acceptable and beautiful ways to praise the Lord, encouraging variety and creativity in expressing devotion. It powerfully underscores the **Purpose of Music**, clearly stating that music, in its various forms, is a powerful and appropriate medium for worship—not merely entertainment, but a divine vehicle for adoration and thanksgiving. Finally, the "sound of the trumpet" alongside the melodic "psaltery and harp" conveys a theme of **Enthusiastic Devotion**, painting a picture of passionate, complete, and unashamed worship, whether boisterous or contemplative, as a fitting response to God's magnificent acts and supreme greatness, as celebrated throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms/1 "Psalms 1 - The Book of Psalms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root means "to be clear" (originally of sound, then color), "to shine," and hence "to make a show," "to boast," or "to celebrate." It carries connotations of being clamorously foolish, raving, or even mad in one's enthusiasm. In the context of praise, it signifies a fervent, unreserved, and often public declaration of God's worthiness, glory, and renown. It's not a quiet admiration but an active, often boisterous, celebration.
* **Trumpet (Hebrew, _shôwphâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to incise" or "to be clear," this term refers to a cornet or curved horn, typically made from a ram's horn (shofar). It produces a loud, piercing, and clear sound. In biblical contexts, the *shôwphâr* was used for signaling, assembly, war, and particularly for religious festivals and solemn occasions, symbolizing a call to attention, divine intervention, or the announcement of God's presence and power.
* **Psaltery (Hebrew, _nebel'_):** This term originates from a root meaning "to collapse when empty," referring to a skin-bag for liquids, then a vase, and by extension, a lyre or stringed instrument with a body of similar form. The *nebel* was a stringed instrument, likely a type of lute or harp, known for its rich and resonant tones, often used for melodic accompaniment and joyous praise.
* **Harp (Hebrew, _kinnôwr'_):** From an unused root meaning "to twang," the *kinnôwr* is generally identified as a lyre, a portable stringed instrument. It was widely used in ancient Israel for joyous celebration, prophetic music, and personal worship, famously associated with King David. Its sound is typically sweet and melodious, contrasting with the piercing sound of the trumpet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:"** This clause initiates the command for praise, specifying the first instrument. The repetition of "Praise him" from the previous verses (150:1-2) reinforces the central theme. The "sound of the trumpet" (specifically the *shôwphâr*) implies a loud, attention-grabbing, and declarative form of worship. It suggests a praise that is bold, un ashamed, and public, akin to a herald's announcement of a king's arrival or a call to assembly. This is not a quiet, private meditation but an outward, audible expression of God's greatness.
* **"praise him with the psaltery and harp."** This second clause continues the command for praise but introduces a different category of instruments. The psaltery (*nebel*) and harp (*kinnôwr*) are stringed instruments known for their melodic and harmonious qualities. Their inclusion suggests a more sustained, perhaps contemplative, and deeply expressive form of worship. While the trumpet calls to attention and declares, the strings invite sustained adoration, accompaniment to song, and a more intimate, yet still public, outpouring of devotion. Together, these two clauses emphasize the breadth and depth of musical praise God deserves.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 150:3 employs several literary devices to amplify its message of comprehensive praise. **Repetition** is evident in the recurring command "Praise him," which serves as an insistent refrain throughout the psalm, reinforcing the central imperative. **Parallelism** is also at play, specifically a form of **Synonymous Parallelism** where the second clause ("praise him with the psaltery and harp") echoes and expands upon the first ("Praise him with the sound of the trumpet"). While not identical, both clauses command praise through musical instruments, broadening the scope of the instruction. **Imagery** is powerfully invoked through the vivid sounds of the trumpet, psaltery, and harp, allowing the reader to "hear" the vibrant worship being described. Finally, **Enumeration** (or listing) of specific instruments highlights the diversity and intentionality of the call to worship, suggesting that every available means and talent should be consecrated to God's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 150:3, nestled within the Psalter's grand finale, powerfully articulates the theological truth that God is worthy of all praise, expressed with the utmost enthusiasm and diversity. It underscores that worship is not merely an internal sentiment but an active, outward, and comprehensive response to God's magnificent acts and His inherent greatness. The inclusion of varied instruments signifies that all aspects of human creativity and expression, whether loud and declarative or melodic and contemplative, can and should be consecrated to His glory. This verse invites believers to consider the breadth of their worship, ensuring it is unreserved and reflective of the infinite worth of the One being praised.

* [Numbers 10:10](/numbers/10-10 "Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets for Feasts and Offerings")
* [1 Samuel 16:23](/1_samuel/16-23 "1 Samuel 16:23 - David Playing the Harp for Saul")
* [Ephesians 5:19](/ephesians/5-19 "Ephesians 5:19 - Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 150:3 serves as a timeless invitation for believers to engage in heartfelt, diverse, and uninhibited worship. It challenges us to move beyond mere perfunctory acts of devotion and to embrace a vibrant, comprehensive expression of praise that utilizes all our gifts and resources. The mention of specific instruments reminds us that God delights in our creativity and in the various ways we can honor Him, whether through music, art, service, or spoken word. It encourages us to consider how we might expand our personal and corporate worship to be more expressive, more passionate, and more inclusive of different forms of adoration. Ultimately, this verse calls us to a life where every breath and every talent is an opportunity to declare God's magnificent worth, echoing the universal call for all creation to praise the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I currently "praise Him with the sound of the trumpet" (i.e., with bold, declarative, and public expressions of faith)?**
* **How do I "praise Him with the psaltery and harp" (i.e., with melodic, sustained, and contemplative forms of worship)?**
* **What talents or resources has God given me that I have not yet fully consecrated to His praise?**
* **How can my personal and corporate worship become more comprehensive, diverse, and unreserved, reflecting the full scope of God's greatness?**

### FAQ
**Why does Psalms 150 list so many instruments for praise?**

Answer: Psalms 150, and particularly verse 3, lists a variety of instruments to emphasize the comprehensive and universal nature of the praise due to God. The inclusion of both loud, declarative instruments like the trumpet (Hebrew: *shôwphâr*), and melodic, harmonious instruments like the psaltery (Hebrew: *nebel*) and harp (Hebrew: *kinnôwr*), symbolizes that all forms of expression, all human creativity, and all available means should be employed in worship. It suggests that praise should be unreserved, full-bodied, and multifaceted, reflecting the infinite greatness of the Lord who is worthy of every kind of adoration. This diversity also highlights the ancient Israelite understanding that music was integral to both communal and individual worship, from solemn feasts to joyous celebrations, as seen in passages like [1 Chronicles 15:16](/1_chronicles/15-16 "1 Chronicles 15:16 - David Appoints Levites to Play Instruments").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 150:3 calls for praise through ancient Israelite instruments, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual resonance are found in Christ. The Old Testament call to praise with instruments foreshadows the new song of redemption that believers sing through the work of Jesus. Our worship, once offered through shadows and types, is now offered in Spirit and truth through the perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has opened the way to the Father ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")). The diverse instruments of praise now find their spiritual counterpart in the diverse gifts and expressions of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ, all directed towards magnifying His name. As [Colossians 3:16](/colossians/3-16 "Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly") encourages, we are to "teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." This includes not only musical instruments but also the "fruit of lips that confess His name" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")). Ultimately, the crescendo of praise in Psalms 150 looks forward to the heavenly worship described in [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song of the Lamb"), where saints and angels sing a new song to the Lamb, who is worthy of all praise because He "purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation." Thus, the ancient instruments of praise find their eternal echo in the redeemed voices of those who worship Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 33:2

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.

Psalms 149:3

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalms 81:2

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Psalms 81:3

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Psalms 98:5

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalms 98:6

With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Psalms 92:3

Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.