Psalm 150's ten imperatives to "praise" create the most concentrated density of praise commands in Scripture, averaging one every 3.6 words in the Hebrew text.
Psalms 150
Praise with Music and Dance
1Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
2Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre!
4Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
5Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
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Theme
Psalm 150 serves as the grand finale to the entire Psalter, calling all creation to praise the LORD with every form of musical expression. The psalm systematically moves from where to praise (sanctuary and heavens) to why we praise (God's mighty acts and greatness) to how we praise (with diverse musical instruments and dance). This climactic hymn transforms worship into a cosmic symphony where everything that breathes joins in exuberant praise to God.
Context
This psalm concludes the entire Book of Psalms and the fifth book of the Psalter, bringing the collection to a crescendo of universal praise.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Where and Why to Praise Calls for praise in God's sanctuary and heavens, citing his mighty acts and excellent greatness as reasons.
- 3-5 How to Praise with Instruments Lists various musical instruments from trumpet to cymbals that should be used in praising God.
- 6 Universal Call to Praise Summons everything that has breath to join in praising the LORD.
Praise with Music and Dance
150:1–150:6 poetry song celebratory
The final psalm of the Psalter, a climactic call for all creation to praise God with every form of musical instrument and expression of worship.
theme_rarity
Psalm 150's ten imperatives to "praise" create the most concentrated density of praise commands in Scripture, averaging one every 3.6 words in the Hebrew text.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Psalms 150:1 2 references
Psalms 150:3 1 reference
Psalms 150:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
Psalms 149:3 Lexical
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
Job 21:12 Lexical
They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
Jeremiah 31:4 Lexical
I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
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