Psalm 150

1 Praise God in his holy places: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him on account of his mighty acts: praise him according to his abundant greatness.

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

4 Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and the organ.

5 Praise him with melodious cymbals: praise him with loud cymbals.

6 Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 150

This psalm is of the same kind and upon the same subject with the two preceding ones; and very probably was written by the same hand, and about the same time; and is a very proper psalm to conclude this book with, being all praise. Some say {q} this psalm was sung by the Israelites, when they came with their firstfruits into the sanctuary, with the basket on their shoulders. "Thirteen" times in this short psalm is the word "praise" used; not on account of thirteen properties or perfections in God, as Kimchi thinks: but it is so frequently and in every clause used, to show the vehement desire of the psalmist that the Lord might be praised; and to express his sense of things, how worthy he is of praise; and that all ways and means to praise him should be made use of, all being little enough to set forth his honour and glory. And not the Levites only, whose business it was in the temple service to praise the Lord with musical instruments, are here exhorted to it, as R. Judah the Levite thinks, but all people; not the people of Israel only, as Kimchi; but the Gentiles also, even all that have breath, Ps 150:6. For, as R. Obadiah Gaon observes, this psalm belongs to the times of the Messiah; to the Gospel dispensation, to the latter part of it, especially when Jews and Gentiles shall be converted; and when all will praise the Lord, as they will have reason for it.

{q} Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. s. 4. p. 145.