Psalms150
English Standard Version
1 the Lord! in his ; him in his !
2 him for his ; him according to his !
3 him with ; him with and !
4 him with and ; him with and !
5 him with ; him with !
6Let that has the Lord! the Lord!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 150.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A psalm of praise. (1-5).
vv1-5
We are here stirred up to praise God. Praise God for his sanctuary, and the privileges we enjoy by having it among us; praise him because of his power and glory in the firmament. Those who praise the Lord in heaven, behold displays of his power and glory which we cannot now conceive. But the greatest of all his mighty acts is known in his earthly sanctuary. The holiness and the love of our God are more displayed in man's redemption, than in all his other works. Let us praise our God and Saviour for it. We need not care to know what instruments of music are mentioned. Hereby is meant that in serving God we should spare no cost or pains. Praise God with strong faith; praise him with holy love and delight; praise him with entire confidence in Christ; praise him with believing triumph over the powers of darkness; praise him by universal respect to all his commands; praise him by cheerful submission to all his disposals; praise him by rejoicing in his love, and comforting ourselves in his goodness; praise him by promoting the interests of the kingdom of his grace; praise him by lively hope and expectation of the kingdom of his glory. Since we must shortly breathe our last, while we have breath let us praise the Lord; then we shall breathe our last with comfort. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Such is the very suitable end of a book inspired by the Spirit of God, written for the work of praise; a book which has supplied the songs of the church for more than three thousand years; a book which is quoted more frequently than any other by Christ and his apostles; a book which presents the loftiest ideas of God and his government, which is fitted to every state of human life, which sets forth every state of religious experience, and which bears simple and clear marks of its Divine origin.
Key Words
הָלַל: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify
אֵל: strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
קֹדֶשׁ: a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
עֹז: strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
רָקִיעַ: properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky
גְּבוּרָה: force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
רֹב: abundance (in any respect)
גֹּדֶל: magnitude (literally or figuratively)
שׁוֹפָר: a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
תֵּקַע: a blast of a trumpet
Cross References
Psalms 150Parallels the universal call for all servants, small and great, to praise our God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Every creature in heaven and earth giving praise, fulfilling the call of verse 6.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The firmament showing God's handywork, echoing the 'firmament of his power' in verse 1.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Praising God's greatness, which is unsearchable, matching His 'excellent greatness' in verse 2.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The original creation of the firmament (expanse), demonstrating His powerful workmanship.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The dedication of the wall with gladness, thanksgivings, cymbals, psalteries, and harps.
Supported by JFB
Miriam leading the women with timbrels and dances, matching the instruments of verse 4.
Calls upon beasts and flying fowl (things with breath) to praise the Lord.
Supported by John Calvin