All Our Hallelujahs

It can be no accident that this psalm comes at the end of the book of Psalms. From Psalm 144 onwards the psalms have been moving resolutely in the direction of praise. God has been praised as “Rock” and “King,” as the one who brings justice and heals the broken-hearted. He is praised as the Righteous One, as the God of Israel and Jacob, and now we praise him as God of heaven and earth. Psalm 150 seems intentionally placed to bring the whole psalms to an erupting climax; a dramatic finale where everything that has breath must praise the Lord.

The call to praise is itself persistent and deliberate; in this psalm of only six verses it is repeated 11 times. Each command, “praise him,” is followed by where, why and how we should acclaim God’s greatness. We should praise him throughout earth and heaven because of his power and greatness and with all the means of music and sound at our disposal. The instruments are listed–an entire orchestra of brass, strings, woodwind and percussion, with clashing and resounding cymbals. Music and dance are given to God as praise ends the psalm.

So, what is praise? The psalmist assumes we know. If the creation itself in all its diversity knows how to praise God (Psalms 147;148), human beings should have no problems. Yet we all know people who would not know how to praise God, and others who confuse empty ritual with worship. Praise can only be given by those who acknowledge there is a God to be praised and glimpse something of his majesty and love. When we are lifted beyond ourselves into an encounter with this living God, praise can spring from the very depth of our being and erupt in heartfelt and Spirit-led worship.

“Our worship is not to be confined to church services. On the contrary, while we breathe, we praise” (John Stott, 1921-2011). In what new ways and places can you praise God?