• Psalm 1 opens the Psalter with the Lord blessing man. 
• Psalm 150 closes the Psalter with man blessing the Lord. 

In between these poetic bookends, the psalms address all of the vicissitudes of life – from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Warren Wiersbe wrote a book entitled “Meet Yourself in the Psalms.” That’s an apt description of what occurs when you read the Psalms. In the God-breathed writings of the various psalmists, you meet yourself. However, the Psalms – like all of sacred scripture – are about God and his glory, not man and his needs. Our chief end – to glorify God and enjoy him forever – comes into view as the Psalms end. John Phillips said, “The sobs and sighs of many a previous psalm are now changed into shouts and songs.” 

The Psalms close with a Hallelujah Chorus that states life’s ultimate purpose and priority: “Praise the Lord.”Psalms 146-150 all begin and close with this command to praise God. Psalm 150 issues this call to praise most emphatically. This psalm commands divine praise thirteen times in six verses. The “praise verb” begins every line except verse 6a, which says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”

Psalm 150 is so preoccupied with calls to praise that it virtually ignores those who are to obey these commands. Verses 3-5 record the most detailed list of musical instruments in the Bible. Yet those who are to play these instruments are not mentioned. The commanded worshipers are lumped together with all animate creatures who breathe God’s air. The God-centered focus of this psalm reminds us that God is the subject and object of worship. True praise is to, for, about God.  John 4:24 says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” It’s a sad indictment that so much “worship” is devoid of biblical revelation about God and spiritual devotion to God. We have our roles mixed up.

• We think we are the audience. 
• We think the leaders are to serve us. 
• We think God helps leaders minister to us. 

That’s not how it works. In worship, the congregation is on stage. The leaders are there to help the congregation get its cues right. True praise is offered to an audience of one. What does it mean to praise the Lord? Psalm 150describes four elements of this concert of praise. 

The Glorious Theater 

Psalm 150 begins, “Praise the Lord!” These three English words translate two Hebrew words. Halal means to praise or boast. Yah is a shortened form of “Yahweh.” “Hallelujah!” means, “Praise the Lord.” Where should we praise the Lord? Verse 1 gives a twofold answer. 

The Holy Place. Verse 1 says, “Praise him in his sanctuary.” A “Sanctuary” is where God’s holy presence dwells with and among his people. The term may refer to the earthly or heavenly sanctuary. This verse refers to the earthly sanctuary in contrast to the “mighty heavens.” The list of musical instruments in verses 3-5 also points to the earthly sanctuary. The sanctuary was where God dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. Israel could only draw near to God in the sanctuary by offering animal sacrifices on the altar to atone for their sins. Psalm 150 declares that God’s gracious and merciful forgiveness should compel his people to praise God in his sanctuary. 

Churches often call their worship center the “sanctuary.” That is not appropriate language for a meeting place for Christian worship. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the veil of the sanctuary in the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom. A few decades later, the entire temple complex was destroyed and has not been rebuilt. No geographic location or physical structure today can be rightly called a “sanctuary.” God does not dwell in a building made by human hands. By the Holy Spirit, God dwells within those who trust the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:19 asks, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” If you are a Christian, you are God’s sanctuary! To praise God in his sanctuary is to praise God wherever you are! 

The Heavenly Place. Verse 1 says, “Praise him in his mighty heavens.” “Mighty heavens” refers to the expanse of space where the sun, moon, and stars dwell. According to Genesis 1:6-8, the heavens were created on the second day of creation to separate the waters above the earth from the waters below the earth. Genesis 1:14-19 tells us that on the fourth day, God placed lights in the heavens to divide day from night and to give light to the earth. The heavens were not created for divine adoration, not human exploration. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The psalmist describes the “heavens” as “mighty.” They are God’s heavenly stronghold. Rotherham paraphrases: “Praise ye Him for the spreading out of his strength.”

• “Sanctuary” tells us that God’s holy character demands praise. 
• “Mighty heavens” tells us that God’s omnipotent power demands praise. 

Human beings are to praise God in his sanctuary. Spirit beings are to praise God in his mighty heavens. Psalm 148:1-2 says, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!” See the infinite scope of the glorious theater of this concert of praise. God is to be praised everywhere. There is no place where worship is out of order. 

• Praise God on earth and in heaven. 
• Praise God locally and universally. 
• Praise God among men and angels. 

  Wherever you are, praise the Lord! 

The Worthy Occasion 

Verse 1 tells us where to worship God. Verse 2 tells us why to praise God. Why praise the Lord? Verse 2 calls for praise in response to God’s works and worth. 

God’s Mighty Works. Verse 2 says, “Praise him for his mighty deeds.” This is the second time the word “mighty” occurs in this psalm. 

• Verse 1 praises God in his mighty heavens. 
• Verse 2 praises God for his mighty deeds. 

When we look up, we should praise God. And when we look back, we should praise God. God’s mighty acts compel us to offer genuine and grateful praise to him. “Mighty deeds” makes two statements about God. First, God is at work. He is not idle, or impotent, or indifferent. John Piper said, “Every day, in every circumstance, God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, but you might be aware of only three of them.” Likewise, all of God’s deeds are mighty. His works reflect his strength, power, and authority. The ancient Jews who read these words would think of God’s deliverance, provision, and faithfulness to Israel. Christians read this Old Testament text with New Testament eyes. God’s mightiest deeds are accomplished in the virgin birth, righteous life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 1:12-14 says, “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” How are things between you and Jesus today? 

God’s Majestic Worth. Verse 2 says, “Praise him according to his excellent greatness.” “Excellent greatness” refers to the nature, person, and character of God – independent of mighty deeds. We should praise God for all that he has done for us in Christ. Yet God is worthy of praise for who he is. “Excellent greatness” describes God’s majestic worth in two ways. First, God is great! Psalm 95:3 says, “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” I repeat: God is great! So great is God that it is not enough to say that God is great. The psalmist says, “Praise according to his excellent greatness.” God’s greatness is abundant, numerous, and superlative. Note the prepositional phrase: “according to…” We should praise God in a manner that exalts God’s eternal, exclusive, infinite, sovereign, and unchanging greatness. Don’t let your problems, sickness, enemies, burdens, or mistakes mute your praise. 

• God is greater than your problems. 
• God is greater than your sickness. 
• God is greater than your enemies. 
• God is greater than your burdens. 
• God is greater than your mistakes. 

The Full Orchestra 

Verse 1 tells us where to praise the Lord. Verse 2 tells us why to praise the Lord. Verses 3-5 tell us how to praise the Lord: “Praise him with the trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals.” 

“Trumpet sound” marks a solemn assembly, joyous celebration, or military victory. “Lute and harp were smaller, portableinstruments that could be played anywhere. Shepherds played them as they led their sheep. “Tambourine” was a hand drum played to keep time. “Dance” was not learned, practiced, or organized choreography. It was a spontaneous celebration marked by whirling, spinning, and leaping. “Strings” covers stringed instruments of all kinds. The “pipe” was a wind instrument of some kind. Cymbals were percussion instruments struck together to make a crashing sound. 

The most obvious lesson this list of musical instruments teaches is that God likes music. God likes music that you don’t like! God likes orchestra music. God likes instrumental music. God likes vocal music. God likes beautiful music. God likes loud music. God likes energetic music. God likes music you can dance to. 

No, God does not like all music. Some music is sinful, idolatrous, or demonic. Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most wicked men in the Bible. The Babylonian Empire defeated Israel, overthrew Jerusalem, and destroyed the temple. After taking God’s people captive, Nebuchadnezzar built a golden image for his subjects to worship. Then he assembled the greatest band in the Bible. Every note this musical aggregation played celebrated arrogant and defiant rebellion against the living God. 

The New Testament emphasizes corporate singing, not musical instruments. Some churches and denominations interpret the lack of musical instruments in the New Testament to mean Christian worship should not include them. They claim we should only sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. Some believe the church should only sing the God-inspired psalms. Yet Psalm 150 commands us to praise God with musical instruments. 

What is the place of music in worship? Music is not worship! Music can accompany music. Note that the preposition “with” occurs six times in verses 3-5. Do not let music worship for you! Do not let the music get in the way of your worship. Musical instruments are a call to worship. They should accompany the true instruments of worship – joyful lips, a renewed mind, and a grateful heart. The mention of musical instruments, from shepherd’s horns to clanging cymbals, emphasizes that praise should be joyous, uninhibited, and wholehearted. Think about it. 

• You can’t get distracted with the commanding sounds of a trumpet barking at you. 
• You cannot play a harp with indifference. 
• You cannot be sophisticated playing a tambourine and jumping around in a dance. 
• You cannot get bored with stringed instruments, capturing every note and chord in the world of music. 
• You cannot go to sleep with someone clanging loud cymbals in your ears. 

These musical instruments – from winds to strings to percussion – call for true, total, and triumphant praise! Praise God by all means! 

The Mass Choir 

• Verse 1 tells us where to praise the Lord. 
• Verse 2 tells us why to praise the Lord. 
• Verses 3-5 tell us how to praise the Lord. 
• Verse 6 tells us who should praise the Lord. 

Now that the location has been selected, the occasion has been established, and the instruments have been prepared, God appoints a choir. Verse 6 states the criteria for joining this ensemble: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”

The list of musical instruments calls for excellence in worship. Christian excellence is not about novelty, production, or theatrics. Christian excellence is about giving God our best. If it bears God’s name, it deserves our best. Psalm 150 does not suggest that random worshipers should grab musical instruments to play without knowledge, training, or practice. Musicians should play with skill that honors God. The psalm does not require the same skill for singers. You don’t have to be gifted and talented to join this ensemble. The only stipulation is that you be an animated creature that has breath to praise the Lord. This liberal policy for choir membership makes sense, after all, things that do not have breath praise the Lord. Psalm 148:7-9: “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all his, fruit trees and all cedars!”

During the Triumphal Entry, the crowds chanted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the crowds. Luke 19:40 says, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out!” Every living thing should praise the Lord. John Stott wrote, “Our worship is not to be confined to church services. On the contrary, as we breathe, we praise.” Our obligation to praise God is also our opportunity to praise God. You don’t need a large account, a prestigious job, a palatial house, designer clothes, or a fancy car to praise God. If you have breath in your body, praise God. The fact that you are still here means God is worthy to be praised! 

• The prologue of the psalm calls, “Praise the Lord!”
• The epilogue of the psalm calls, “Praise the Lord!” 

 That’s the last word of the Psalms. Our praise to God is only a “choir rehearsal” to prepare us to join the throngs who worship around his throne in glory. Revelation 5:13-14 says, “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

John Wesley was about 21 years old when he went to Oxford University. He was a snobbish and sarcastic young man. One night, however, he met a man who was so poor that he didn’t even have a bed to sleep in. Yet he was filled with grateful praise to God. Wesley asked, “What do you have to thank God for?” The man was grateful for life, the love for God in his heart, and the opportunity to serve. His testimony deeply moved Wesley. Many years later, as Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88, he began singing the hymn, “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath.”  

I'll praise my Maker while I've breath; 
And when my voice is lost in death, 
Praise shall employ my nobler powers. 
My days of praise shell ne'er be pastor
While life, and thought, and being last, 
Or immortality endures.