Psalm 150 – Doxology News Series

Psalm 150 – Doxology of Praise

Psalm 150

“1 Praise the LORD.[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”

1. [1] Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 6

I) Introduction:

Traditionally Psalm 150 is called the Doxology Psalm:

Doxology simply means: “Praises to God”

-In our day the final hymn sang in a formal public service is often called a doxology. (ie. Funerals, Prayer vigils etc.)

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Many of you may know the traditional hymn that has been given the Name “Doxology” –it is sang in many churches each week.

–Listen to the similarities.

“ Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above you heavenly host. Praise father son and Holy Ghost. –Amen!”

Historically Psalm 150 was called the Doxology Psalm because:

-It expresses high praise to God.

-It is the climax of the predominant theme of

praise in the rest of the

Psalms.

-It comes at the close of the Book of Psalms

*** But we should not think of the Doxology Psalm as the end of praise – It is not the end … It is the high point!

Characterized in this psalm of Doxology is:

-Ecstatic praise

-Musical artistry

-Physical display of affection towards God

-Unrestrained worship of Who God is in His

Glory

The opening sentence in verse 1 and the closing sentence in verse 6 says “Praise the Lord!”

* The literal translation of that phrase from the Hebrew is – “Hallelu Yah!”

In Psalm 150 we do not see the picture of a somber downcast soul that has breathed it last weary sigh…. We see the picture of the psalmist in the midst of a huge company of men and angels – in the midst of all creation itself- who have caught a glimpse of the glory of God and are overcome by such massive praise, unstoppable praise to God!

II. Lets take a few minutes to examine this Psalm

today.

Many contemporary commentators have given this psalm a new name.

-Some of them have called the doxology Psalm …

:“The news reporter’s Psalm”

Journalist are trained to answer 5 W’s and an H. when reporting on an event….

-What

-Where

-Who

-Why

-When

-How

This Psalm answers all of these questions about how we should praise God.

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–So pick up your pen and writing tablet.

–Put on your thinking cap.

–Bring your inquisitive nature …And join me as we attempt to look at Psalm 150 “The Doxology Psalm” from the perspective of a news reporter.

1) What is the Theme of Psalm 150?

A) Express your Praise to God! (1-6)

The 1st theme of this Psalm is obvious it is expressed in each of its 6 verses!

V.S 1 says – “Praise the Lord “ or “Hallelujah”

V.S. 2 says – “Praise Him”

V.S. 3-5 tells us – Praise Him ( with music &

dance)

V.S. 6 tells us – Everything with breath

praise him – Ending with “Hallelujah!”

(a) Expression of praise requires action.

We are being told with out a doubt to express our praise to God.

-You may think God is Great

- but that is not enough!

-Thinking God is great is adoration…. But adoration does not become praise for until it is expressed in some way.

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I love my son But if I never tell him that I love him and if I never tell anyone else I adore him. People do not know and my son does not know. (only I know that I adore / admire my son)

When I express it in some way: - words –actions. It becomes praise.

(b) Praise is God centered

Psalm 150 does not just tell us to express our praise to God… It says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

This verse shows us that praise is not – Self-Centered but God-Centered!

-if praise was Self-Centered no one could praise God!

Because:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous act are like filthy rags….” IS.64:6a

Praise for God is not based on our self-righteousness or self-worthiness – BUT GODS!

We praise Him because He is worthy!

2) Where is God to be praised?

A) In His sanctuary. (1)

(OT context) could mean: Probably Earthly Temple / Possibly heavenly temple

(NT context) Individual believer or the church.

Modern relevance