Study notes

Psalms 150

Introducing PsalmsWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

146:1–150:6

The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the LORD! (Hebrew haleluyah).

146:1–150:6 Section

The book of Psalms ends with five poems of praise. These psalms praise God for being the King who rules for ever over everything and everyone. They praise him for being the Maker of everything that exists. They praise him for taking care of every part of creation.

This includes caring for the stars, the weather, the land, plants and animals. It includes making sure that justice is done for needy people. God takes care of outsiders, prisoners, widows and children whose parents have died. He takes care of those who are blind, hungry, helpless or treated badly. He cares deeply for each human being.

Every single creature and thing made by God is able to praise him. Psalm 149 and Psalm 150 talk about ways that human beings praise God. They praise him with their hands. This means that they obey God’s commands. God uses them to bring judgement against those who refuse to respect and obey him.

Humans also praise God with their mouths. This means that their words bring honour and glory to God. They sing songs of praise about God’s work in their lives. These songs were called new songs. They were new because they were based on receiving God’s mercy in new ways. Singing, dancing and playing instruments are some ways that humans praise God. These are ways to show their joy. God’s people can be full of joy because God delights in them and blesses them.

150:1

The phrase mighty heavens refers to Genesis 1 and God's amazing work in filling the emptiness.

150:1–6

Everything that breathes is commanded to praise the Lord as he deserves. The whole Psalter describes the greatness of the Lord, so this psalm is a fitting conclusion.

150:3–5

  • The psalmist calls all people to praise God with instruments and dancing.

  • flutes: These are wind instruments (instruments you blow into to make sound). The Bible does not mention them as part of formal temple worship. This suggests they were used more in everyday life or celebrations, rather than in official worship at the temple.

  • clashing cymbals: Temple musicians clapped two bronze bowls together to make a loud sound as part of the music.

150:6

praise the LORD!: This refrain is a fitting conclusion to the entire book of Psalms.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources