The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 150
In brief
Psalm 150 is the last psalm of the book, a grand finale of praise in six verses. It answers three questions: where to praise God (in his sanctuary and in the heavens), why (for his mighty acts and the greatness of his excellence) and how (with trumpet, harp, tambourine, dancing, strings and cymbals). It ends with a universal call: let everything that has breath praise the Lord. After so many cries and questions in the collection, everything leads to worship.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
2Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre!
4Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
5Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
Key verses
Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
Praise is offered to God in his sanctuary and in the heavens where his power shines. It covers both the place of worship and the whole of creation.
Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
The psalm gives two reasons for praise: what God has done, his mighty acts, and who he is, the greatness of his excellence. We praise for deeds and for a person.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!
Trumpet, lyre, harp, tambourine, dancing, strings, cymbals: every means of expression is called on. The text does not impose a style, it invites us to put the talents we have at God's service.
Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
The last verse of the collection widens the call to everything that has breath. Every breath becomes a chance to praise, which makes praise the calling of all life.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Pray about this
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 150
What does Psalm 150 mean?
Psalm 150 is a final call to praise, addressed to every living being. It tells us where to praise God, why to do it, for his mighty acts and his greatness, and with which instruments. It closes the book of Psalms by showing that every prayer, even one born in complaint, is called to end in worship.
Why is Psalm 150 the last psalm in the book of Psalms?
The Psalms end with five psalms of praise, from 146 to 150, which form a conclusion. Psalm 150 is the peak: it repeats the call to praise the Lord in every verse. Many see in it the direction of the whole collection, which moves from lament toward praise.
How can I pray with Psalm 150?
Read it aloud in the morning or accompany it with music. For each verse, think of one specific reason to praise God this week. If you play an instrument or sing, offer that talent to God. Finish with a moment of silence to breathe and thank him for every breath you have received.
Articles quoting Psalm 150
World English Bible translation — public domain.