Psalm 150

Psalm 150 is the doxology not only of the final Hallel but of the entire Book of Psalms. In six short verses it answers the questions of where, why, how, and who we are to praise. Where: in His sanctuary and in the firmament of His power—earth and heaven are both sanctuaries of praise. Why: for His mighty acts and according to His excellent greatness—praise is grounded both in what God has done and in who God is. How: with trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, dance, stringed instruments, organs, and loud, high-sounding cymbals—every instrument and every movement of the body is enlisted. Who: "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord." The Psalter that began with the way of the blessed and the way of the ungodly ends with a universal summons to breath-borne praise.

The major themes are praise, God’s mighty acts, His excellent greatness, the fullness of worship, and the universality of praise. The repeated imperative "praise him" (thirteen times in the Hebrew) builds to the final "Praise ye the Lord"—Hallelujah. Practically, the psalm teaches that worship is the destiny of every breathing thing and that no instrument or voice is too loud or too small for the praise of God. The great lesson is that the whole Psalter, and the whole life, ends in praise.