Psalm Devotional
Sing the Grand Finale of Praise with Hope
Each of the five books of the Psalter closes with a doxology in simple praise to God (41:13; 72:18–19; 89:52; 106:48; 150:1–6). Psalm 150 is the last in a series of five doxologies that concludes the whole Psalter (Psalms 146–150). Thus, this psalm concludes Book Five, the final series, and the Psalter.
Like the holy of holies, Psalm 150 is the doxology of doxologies. This character is evident in that, as the other psalms in the series begin and end with “Praise the Lord,” every line in Psalm 150 begins with “Praise the Lord/God/Him.” Psalm 150 fills us with the realization of our purpose to rejoice in glorifying God. It is no wonder that this psalm is a favorite of the children of the kingdom, even elderly ones.
Psalm 149 takes us back to the Lord’s victory at the exodus (Ps. 149:3; Ex. 15:20) as a means to point us forward to His final judgment (Ps. 149:5–9; Rev. 19:14–15). Psalm 150 takes us back to David bringing the ark into Jerusalem (Ps. 150:3–5; 1 Chron. 13:8; 15:16, 28) as a means to point us forward to the Lord bringing the heavenly Jerusalem into the new heavens and new earth (Ps. 150:1–2; Rev. 21:1). And so, this concluding doxology is like the grand finale at the end of a fireworks display with a rapid series of bright flashes, loud booms, and punches in the chest from the concussions. Glorious and wonderful!
