Saturday
Saturday
Psalm 150—the Final Doxology
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Psalm 150:6
This doxology forms a magnificent conclusion to the Psalter. As a summons to worship, it is unsurpassed in grandeur. Every verse is an invitation to praise, instructing us where, why, how, and by whom the praise of God should be expressed.
Firstly, if we wonder where we should worship, the answer is both “in his sanctuary” (referring originally to the temple in Jerusalem) and “in his mighty heavens” (v. 1). So heaven and earth, angels and humans, unite in praising God.
Secondly, why should we worship? We are to praise him both “for his acts of power” and “for his surpassing greatness” (v. 2). Israel never tired of celebrating God’s mighty acts of creation and redemption.
Thirdly, when we come to the how of worship, every conceivable instrument is to be played—wind, strings, and percussion. The “trumpet” (v. 3) was doubtless the ancient curved ram’s horn, still in use in the synagogue, and the expert, writes one commentator, “can make a prodigious noise with it.” The other instruments are more or less recognizable. So the orchestra is assembled. Worshipers are to blow the horn and pluck the harp, beat the drums, sweep the strings, play the flute, and clang the cymbals.
The fourth question concerns the who of worship. The psalmist calls on “everything that has breath” to praise the Lord (v. 6). He may include the animal creation in whom too is “the breath of life” (Gen. 6:17), but it seems more probable that he is referring to the whole human race. Sometimes in the course of public worship, when the choir is singing and the organ or a band is playing, we are transported beyond ourselves to join with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven around the throne of God.
Our worship is not to be confined to church services, however. On the contrary, while we breathe, we praise.
For further reading: Psalm 150