How does the final Psalm close out the five books of Psalms? How relevant is praise as the conclusion to a collection of songs about God’s mighty deeds and character? Let’s look at Psalm 150.
What are among the many reasons to praise God? With what kinds of musical instruments are we encouraged to use?
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah! (Ps 150:1-6 HCSB)
As the Lamb of God is about to reveal heaven’s final victory are both Father and Son praised?
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels, the living creatures, and the elders surrounding the throne. They numbered 10,000’s times 10,000 and thousands times thousands. They sang with a loud voice, “Worthy is the lamb who was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise!” I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying, “To the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever!” (Rev 5:11-13 ISV)
As all evil is finally conquered, will there be great choruses of praise to the Lord?
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev 19:1-6 KJV)
How does the final Psalm close out the five books of Psalms? How relevant is praise as the conclusion to a collection of songs about God’s mighty deeds and character? You decide!
Praises in the Assembly (Ps 149)
What are some of the main purposes of the church assembly? Let’s begin in Psalm 149.
Do we sing new songs or just the old? Do we sing praises in the assembly?
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. (Ps 149:1 NLT)
Do both physical and spiritual Israel rejoice in God? Are we the children of heavenly Zion?
Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp! For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds. (Ps 149:2-5 WEB)
Will we one day rule the nations and enforce heavenly standards?
Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to get revenge against the nations and punishment on the peoples, binding their rulers in chains and their officials in iron shackles, achieving the justice written against them. That will be an honor for all God’s faithful people. Praise the Lord! (Ps 149:6-9 CEB)
Is mutual encouragement supposed to be one of the main purposes of a church meeting?
We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer. (Heb 10:24-25 CEV)
Will the elders sing another new song in that great heavenly assembly?
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:9-10 ESV)
What are some of the main purposes of the church assembly? You decide!
Do we sing new songs or just the old? Do we sing praises in the assembly?
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. (Ps 149:1 NLT)
Do both physical and spiritual Israel rejoice in God? Are we the children of heavenly Zion?
Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp! For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds. (Ps 149:2-5 WEB)
Will we one day rule the nations and enforce heavenly standards?
Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to get revenge against the nations and punishment on the peoples, binding their rulers in chains and their officials in iron shackles, achieving the justice written against them. That will be an honor for all God’s faithful people. Praise the Lord! (Ps 149:6-9 CEB)
Is mutual encouragement supposed to be one of the main purposes of a church meeting?
We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer. (Heb 10:24-25 CEV)
Will the elders sing another new song in that great heavenly assembly?
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:9-10 ESV)
What are some of the main purposes of the church assembly? You decide!
Ubiquitous Praise (Ps 148)
Does all creation praise God by its very existence? Let’s begin in Psalm 148.
Do all God’s angels, does everyone in heaven praise God?
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! (Ps 148:1-2 ISV)
Does all of creation figuratively praise God by simply existing as a silent testimony to His design?
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. (Ps 148:3-4 HCSB)
Does all of creation figuratively praise God by simply existing as a silent testimony to His power?
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he himself gave the command that they be created. He set them in place to last forever and ever; he gave the command and will not rescind it. (Ps 148:5-6 ISV)
Does everything from dinosaurs to atmospheric phenomena stand as a silent testimony to a creator?
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons [dinosaurs], and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: (Ps 148:7-8 KJV)
Does everything from sedimentary rock on top of mountains to creatures stand as a silent testimony to a great flood and the creator who saved animals from it?
Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged bird; (Ps 148:9-10 LSB)
Should kings and judges and young and old alike praise the God of the universe?
Kings of the earth and all peoples; Rulers and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. (Ps 148:11-12 NASB)
Above all fame, fortune and power, does one name stand, and one people that God chose close to His heart?
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. (Ps 148:13-14 NIV)
Is God angry at atheists? Do they suppress ubiquitous, obvious evidence? Do they profess to be wise while claiming that the incredible design in nature came about by accident?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Rom 1:18-23 NKJV)
Does all creation praise God by its very existence? You decide!
Do all God’s angels, does everyone in heaven praise God?
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! (Ps 148:1-2 ISV)
Does all of creation figuratively praise God by simply existing as a silent testimony to His design?
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. (Ps 148:3-4 HCSB)
Does all of creation figuratively praise God by simply existing as a silent testimony to His power?
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he himself gave the command that they be created. He set them in place to last forever and ever; he gave the command and will not rescind it. (Ps 148:5-6 ISV)
Does everything from dinosaurs to atmospheric phenomena stand as a silent testimony to a creator?
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons [dinosaurs], and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: (Ps 148:7-8 KJV)
Does everything from sedimentary rock on top of mountains to creatures stand as a silent testimony to a great flood and the creator who saved animals from it?
Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged bird; (Ps 148:9-10 LSB)
Should kings and judges and young and old alike praise the God of the universe?
Kings of the earth and all peoples; Rulers and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. (Ps 148:11-12 NASB)
Above all fame, fortune and power, does one name stand, and one people that God chose close to His heart?
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. (Ps 148:13-14 NIV)
Is God angry at atheists? Do they suppress ubiquitous, obvious evidence? Do they profess to be wise while claiming that the incredible design in nature came about by accident?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Rom 1:18-23 NKJV)
Does all creation praise God by its very existence? You decide!
Sing Praises (Ps 147)
How many things can we praise God for? Let’s begin in Psalm 147.
Is singing praises to our God just a modern fad or a very ancient idea?
Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings the wicked down to the ground. (Ps 147:1-6 NASB)
Is a stringed instrument something that we should avoid?
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. (Ps 147:7-9 NIV)
Does God take pleasure in strength or those who show Him deep respect and hope in His mercy?
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (Ps 147:10-11 NKJV)
While our food is very inferior to that which the ancients enjoyed, does God still satisfy our hunger?
Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. (Ps 147:12-14 NLT)
Does God still send us appropriate weather in due season?
He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Ps 147:15-18 WEB)
Does any nation have such perfect laws as God gave Israel? Yet, is the gospel exclusive to one nation?
God proclaims his word to Jacob; his statutes and rules to Israel. God hasn’t done that with any other nation; those nations have no knowledge of God’s rules. Praise the Lord! (Ps 147:19-20 CEB)
How do we encourage others to also praise God without coercion or manipulation?
Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:16 CEV)
Should praise be among our list of positive, healthy thoughts?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8 ESV)
Is singing praises encouraged anywhere in the New Testament?
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. (James 5:13 HCSB)
How many things can we praise God for? You decide!
Is singing praises to our God just a modern fad or a very ancient idea?
Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings the wicked down to the ground. (Ps 147:1-6 NASB)
Is a stringed instrument something that we should avoid?
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. (Ps 147:7-9 NIV)
Does God take pleasure in strength or those who show Him deep respect and hope in His mercy?
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (Ps 147:10-11 NKJV)
While our food is very inferior to that which the ancients enjoyed, does God still satisfy our hunger?
Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. (Ps 147:12-14 NLT)
Does God still send us appropriate weather in due season?
He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Ps 147:15-18 WEB)
Does any nation have such perfect laws as God gave Israel? Yet, is the gospel exclusive to one nation?
God proclaims his word to Jacob; his statutes and rules to Israel. God hasn’t done that with any other nation; those nations have no knowledge of God’s rules. Praise the Lord! (Ps 147:19-20 CEB)
How do we encourage others to also praise God without coercion or manipulation?
Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:16 CEV)
Should praise be among our list of positive, healthy thoughts?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8 ESV)
Is singing praises encouraged anywhere in the New Testament?
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. (James 5:13 HCSB)
How many things can we praise God for? You decide!
Praise the Lord (Ps 146)
In whom alone can we truly hope forever? Let’s begin in Psalm 146.
Is praising God with our whole being good for us or for Him?
Praise the Lord! Let my whole being praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. (Ps 146:1-2 CEB)
Can we totally depend on even the greatest leaders among us?
You can't depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans. (Ps 146:3-4 CEV)
Where should we put our ultimate hope, in human leadership or God?
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. (Ps 146:5-7a ESV)
What work is God involved in? Do we neglect prisoners, the blind, foreigners, orphans and widows?
The Lord frees prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. (Ps 146:7b-9 HCSB)
How much longer will God reign than any human leader, good or evil?
The Lord will reign forever, your God, Zion, for all generations! Hallelujah! (Ps 146:10 ISV)
What did the angel Gabriel announce to Mary about her son’s kingdom?
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:31-33 KJV)
Is this prophecy repeated in the symbolic prophecies of Revelation?
Then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15 LSB)
In whom alone can we truly hope forever? You decide!
Is praising God with our whole being good for us or for Him?
Praise the Lord! Let my whole being praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. (Ps 146:1-2 CEB)
Can we totally depend on even the greatest leaders among us?
You can't depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans. (Ps 146:3-4 CEV)
Where should we put our ultimate hope, in human leadership or God?
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. (Ps 146:5-7a ESV)
What work is God involved in? Do we neglect prisoners, the blind, foreigners, orphans and widows?
The Lord frees prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. (Ps 146:7b-9 HCSB)
How much longer will God reign than any human leader, good or evil?
The Lord will reign forever, your God, Zion, for all generations! Hallelujah! (Ps 146:10 ISV)
What did the angel Gabriel announce to Mary about her son’s kingdom?
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:31-33 KJV)
Is this prophecy repeated in the symbolic prophecies of Revelation?
Then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15 LSB)
In whom alone can we truly hope forever? You decide!
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