Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!^[a]
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

The biblical book of Psalms is a marvelous collection of faithful poetry. The words and verses in the Psalms can help our souls soar. As “the hymnbook of ancient Israel” we find instructions in the text for singing and presenting many of these pieces in worship. It is appropriate that many of our own hymns have been inspired by psalms. In the “Glory to God Hymnal”, the final biblical psalm (Psalm 150) is linked to over 2 dozen hymns. Let’s close out the book of Psalms as some of those songs set our own souls soaring in praise to God.

Psalm 150 mentions trumpets, lute, harp, tambourine, cymbals, strings, and pipe. We are comfortable thinking about some of those musical instruments leading our praise and worship of God together. Many of us worship well to organ and piano. Some of us feel inspired to praise God with the sounds of drums and guitars. And for some people even the mystic bamboo song in the chosen vehicle for praise.

Prayer

God of all places, as Your people raise chants and drums and mystic, let me praise You for their praise to You, as all God’s people say, Amen.