Bible Commentary

Psalms 150:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

COMMENTATORS generally are agreed that this is a most noble psalm, a fit conclusion to the noble collection which here terminates. Professor Cheyne says, " closes this Hallelujah group not less worthily than the whole group concludes the Psalter. It is the finale of the spiritual concert." Hengstenberg observes, "We have here a full-toned call to the praise of God, quite appropriate to the close of this psalm-cycle and of the whole Psalter." The "Four Friends" say, "With these grand words the Psalter closes." Dr. Mason Good points out, as the speciality of the psalm, that it sets before us in detail the various elements of the temple music. "The enraptured minstrel," he remarks, "now rises upon the full stretch of his pinions, and addresses himself to all the powers and faculties of his symphonious brotherhood; to the enchantment of flowing numbers, and the overwhelming ecstasy of an harmonious peal, poured forth in all its strength, from pipe and string and shell of every kind, each, with devotional rivalry, striving to surpass each in pealing forth his praise, from whom they derive breath, vibration, and sound." No psalm rises more grandly from verse to verse, or terminates in a nobler or grander climax, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 150:1-5We 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, beh…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:1Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary. This is the right rendering, and not that of the Prayer-book Version, "Praise God in his holiness." Israel is called upon to give God praise in his holy temple. Praise hi…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:1Places to praise God in. "This psalm is a rapture. The poet-prophet is full of inspiration and enthusiasm." Lamartine says, "In this closing psalm we see the almost inarticulate enthusiasm of the lyric poet; so rapidly…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:1-6Hallelujah: our life a psalm. There is no distinctive truth taught here; each verse gives utterance to that which has been sung before (see especially Psalms 148:1-14.). But the strain of the psalm is that of an earnest…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:2Praise him for his mighty acts; i.e. for the great acts of his providence, especially for his deliverances of Israel. Praise him according to his excellent greatness; rather, his abounding greatness (Kay); or, his manif…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:2Things to praise God for. For "excellent greatness," read "muchness of greatness." Praise is to be offered in recognition both of God's inherent power, and of its manifestation in mighty acts. I. PRAISE IS CALLED FOR BY…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet, (On the use of the trumpet in Divine service, see Le 23:24; Psalms 25:9; Numbers 10:10; 2 Samuel 6:15; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:6; 2 Chronicles 5:1…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 150:4Praise him with the timbrel and dance (comp. Psalms 149:3). Praise him with stringed instruments and organs; literally, with strings and pipe. "Organs" are, of course, out of the question. The "pipe" intended is probabl…Joseph S. Exell and contributors