OCTOBER 1 – Reading 274

by Marcia Rainey | October 1

“HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD!”
(Psalm 148:1-14; 149:1-9; 150:1-6)

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” – Psalm 150:6

Psalm 150 is the doxology to the fifth book of the Psalter and to the entire Book of Psalms. As we read through the book of Psalms, we encountered laments, confessions, thanksgiving, and worship–aspects of every believer’s lived experience. The Psalter ends with a compelling invitation: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD” (v. 6).

The psalmist begins by directing us where to praise: “in His sanctuary” and “in His mighty heavens.” Where should we praise God? We should worship, exalt, and praise God in the holy place but also throughout the expanse of creation as we live out our daily lives. The psalmist tells us why we should praise God: “for His mighty deeds” and “according to His excellent greatness.” God is worthy of praise for the mighty acts He has done throughout history and in our own story. Even more so, who He is–His holiness, faithfulness, mercy, and love—make Him infinitely worthy of worship. The psalm continues with how to praise: with trumpet, harp, tambourine, strings, pipe, cymbals, and with dancing. Music, movement, and breath all unite in lifting worship to the Creator.

Most powerfully, verse 6 expands the scope: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” This summons not just Israel, not just the sanctuary singers, but all creation. This summons stretches beyond time and place. John’s vision recorded in Revelation is that every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea joins together in declaring, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13). The Apostle Paul declares in Philippians 2:10–11, proclaiming that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Likewise, Romans 14:11 reminds us of God’s promise: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

Psalm 150 reminds us that praise is the destiny of all creation. Bowing in adoration and submission to God is optional today, but there is coming a day when all creation will acknowledge and shout out a “Hallelujah!” to our God. This day, may your heart and voice willingly and sincerely bow before the Creator of heaven and earth and to Your savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you bow your knee, a body posture reflecting surrender and submission, during your prayer time today, but may we all create sacred space and time for our heart and soul to “bow” in surrender to the Almighty, offering up a sacrifice of praise for who He is and what He has done.  He is worthy! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! 

Simple Truth:
Psalm 150 calls us to joyful and thankful praise to our God for who He is and what He has done.

Reflections:

1. Why is it important to praise God both for His deeds and His character?

    

2. To what one end is all creation ultimately united?

    

3. How can our present praise be a foretaste of the eternal worship described in Revelation?

    

4. Have you cultivated a lifestyle of praise?

    

Application:

1. Let gratitude and worship shape your thoughts, actions, and interactions throughout the day. As this becomes our practice, we cultivate a lifestyle of praise.

    

2. Set aside time today to intentionally praise God for who He is and what He has done. If possible, gather family members for a time of praise and prayer–even a short time together can be beneficial.

    

Closing Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, we praise You for Your mighty deeds and for who You are–compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, and forgiving wickedness. We give you our devotion, our lives, our worship. May our hearts, our words, and our gifts glorify You, for You are worthy of all praise. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen.