Psalm 150: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 150 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The psalmist calls for praise in God's sanctuary and in the heavens for his powerful acts (vv. 1-2). He urges praise through various expressions of joyful music, mentioning the trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, and other instruments (vv. 3-4). The call to praise expands to include everyone with breath. All creation is invited to join in this praise of Yah (vv. 5-6).

Key verse

“Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!”
Psalms 150:6 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 150:1–2 Call to Praise in God's Sanctuary
Psalm 150:3–4 Expressions of Joyful Praise
Psalm 150:5–6 Universal Call to Praise

Discussion questions

In v1, what does the psalmist mean by 'sanctuary'?
What instruments are mentioned in v3 for praising God?
The phrase 'according to his excellent greatness' in v2: what does this imply about God's nature?
In v6, why is 'everything that has breath' called to praise Yah?
When have you participated in praise like the 'dancing' in v4?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 150: Psalm 145, Psalm 19, Psalm 149.

Before next time: read Proverbs 1.