Hallelujah: Let Everything That
Has Breath Praise the Lord
Introduction
Psalm 150 concludes the Psalter with a six-verse call to praise that
answers where, why, how, and who. It is not a slogan to repeat; it
is a life to live. The psalmist begins and ends with “Praise the
Lord”—“Hallelujah”—signaling that the fitting response of God’s
people to His works and His character is wholehearted, continual
worship. This psalm also corrects common confusions: praise is not
driven by moods, novelties, or spectatorship; it is the deliberate,
God-centered engagement of the assembled church and the daily rhythm
of the individual saint.
Where Praise
Belongs (Psalm 150:1)
“Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament.”
Under the Law of Moses, sanctuary meant tabernacle and then
temple—the gathering place of God’s people. Today, we assemble as
Christ’s church. Yet praise is not confined to the hour; the
firmament stretches the summons across every ordinary day. Private
praise through the week fuels public praise on the Lord’s Day; then
corporate worship multiplies that thanksgiving as one voice.
Why We
Praise: His Deeds and His Nature (Psalm 150:2)
“Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His
excellent greatness.” We praise God for what He has done and for who
He is. His deeds fill the Psalms: He formed us (Psalm 139), provided
a Shepherd (Psalm 23), forgives (Psalm 32), sustains in trial (Psalm
57), carries the aged (Psalm 71), and guides by His word (Psalm
119). Chief among His acts stands redemption foretold (Psalm 22) and
fulfilled in Christ. We also praise His nature: He is the King
eternal, immortal, invisible (1 Timothy 1:17); He alone has
immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16); He
is worthy because He created all things (Revelation 4:11). Praise is
fitting because He is worthy; it is necessary because He has acted.
How We
Praise With Our Whole Selves (Psalm 150:3–5)
Israel’s forms (trumpet, lute and harp, timbrel and dance, strings
and flute, loud and clashing cymbals) fit their covenant. Our forms
under Christ differ, yet the principle is unchanged: praise requires
the whole person—heart, mind, soul, and strength. Worship is not a
show to watch but a sacrifice to offer (Hebrews 13:15). We engage
our minds in the words we sing, our wills in obedience, our
attention in prayer, our memory and faith at the Lord’s Supper, our
stewardship in giving, and our humility under the preached word. “I
didn’t get anything out of worship” usually means “I didn’t put
myself into it.” God seeks worshippers, not spectators.
Who Must
Praise (Psalm 150:6)
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Breath is the
qualification; gratitude is the motive; truth is the guide. Praise
is commanded—independent of mood or trend—because God’s worthiness
does not waver. Feelings are not despised, but they are not the
engine; truth and thanksgiving are. When worship centers on God
rather than our preferences, we can truly say, “Hallelujah.”
A Life of
Hallelujah
The Psalms have taught us that praise is the church’s primary work
when assembled and the believer’s daily posture in the world. If we
practice praise Monday through Saturday, Sunday becomes a gathered
crescendo. Give God not a fraction but your all. Focus your mind;
guard against distractions; attend to the words; say “Amen” with
understanding; break the bread with remembrance; hear the word with
intent to obey. This is how Psalm 150 becomes our life, not just our
reading.
Hallelujah: Let Everything
That Has Breath Praise the Lord Sermon Outline:
I.
Introduction
-
Psalm 150 as
the doxological finale of the Psalter; repeated “Hallelujah.”
-
Praise
defined as God-centered engagement, not mere slogan or mood.
II. Where
Praise Belongs (v. 1)
-
Sanctuary:
assembled church; firmament: everywhere, every day.
-
Private
praise fuels public praise; public praise multiplies private
gratitude.
III. Why We
Praise (v. 2)
IV. How We
Praise (vv. 3–5)
V. Who Must
Praise (v. 6)
VI.
Conclusion
Call to
Action
Bring to the next assembly a week filled with private thanksgiving,
then offer God your undivided heart in song, prayer, remembrance,
giving, and submission to His word. If you have not obeyed the
gospel, trust His promises—confess Christ, repent, and be baptized
for the forgiveness of sins. If you are weary, seek the prayers of
the saints. You have breath; use it to praise.
Key
Takeaways
-
Praise
belongs in the assembly and throughout life (Psalm 150:1).
-
We praise
God for His mighty acts and His excellent greatness (Psalm
150:2; Revelation 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16).
-
True worship
is whole-person participation, not spectatorship (Psalm 150:3–5;
Hebrews 13:15; Mark 12:30).
-
Every
breathing soul is summoned to praise (Psalm 150:6).
-
Praise is a
commanded privilege for God’s children, shaped by truth and
gratitude.
Scripture
Reference List
-
Psalm 150 –
Main text.
-
Psalm 22;
23; 32; 57; 71; 119; 139 – Samples of God’s acts.
-
Revelation
4:11 – Worthy Creator.
-
1 Timothy
1:17; 6:16 – God’s eternal greatness.
-
Hebrews
13:15 – Sacrifice of praise.
-
Mark 12:30 –
Whole-hearted love for God.
-
Matthew 6:33
– God supplies needs to those who seek His kingdom.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
