Instructions For Praising God

Psalm 150:1-6

“Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 150:1a)

There has been a lot of emphasis on Praise and Worship music in recent years, as a specific style of music.  In Colossians 3:16, Paul commanded, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  It appears that many modern musicians do not understand that Psalms are songs of praise and hymns are songs of worship.  It is the message of the song, rather than the style of music that makes it a song of praise or worship or a spiritual song.   The entire book of psalms has been about praising or thanking God for what he has done.  This final psalm focuses on some details about how we should praise God. 

Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.” (Psalm 150:1b)

We should praise God in the place set aside for worship, but we should also praise him when we go out into the fresh air where we see all the mighty works he has done.    We should be praising God wherever we are.  

“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2)

We need to thank God for the many things he has done, from the creation of the world to providing food for the last meal we ate.  We need to thank him that he is still in control of the world despite the things that are wrong and as a result, “…we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” as Romans 8:28 tells us.  Because of his greatness, we have nothing to fear. 

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)

Over the years, different groups have considered certain musical instruments such as the piano, the guitar, or drums worldly instruments that should not be used in church. Others have forbidden any kind of dancing.  The psalmist makes it very clear that any musical instrument can be used to praise God, as can dance.  One musician may play and sing a certain song thsat causes us to think about what God has done for us while another musician, singing the same song and playing the same instrument may leave us excited over their rendition of the song.  The first leaves us thinking about God, the second about the song.  When the focus is on anything but God, the praise is not for him.  The problem is not worldly instruments or styles of music, it is worldly attitudes in the musicians. 

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 150:6)

Finally, every living thing should praise God, because he has given them the ability to praise him by their actions and attitudes, even if they are unable to speak.  Just take the time to praise him with whatever means is available to you and don’t worry that someone else sings or prays more beautifully.  God wants to hear it from you.  Don't settle for letting others sing because they are more skilled or have a better voice.