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Let’s see if you see the pattern for the last five Psalms . . .
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 146:1, ESV)
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 147:1)
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 148:1)
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 149:1)
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:1)
At 150 Psalms, the Book of Psalms covers every aspect of life—victory, betrayal, revenge, love, guidance, God’s Word, hope, faith, friendship, angels, God’s presence, sleep, end-of-life blessings, prayer, both the power and mercy of God and the list goes on.
There’s no better way to end the Book of Psalms than a few shouts of “Praise the Lord!” I believe that a “Praise the Lord” lifestyle brings many blessings, too.
While emphasizing praise, each of the last five Psalms focuses on a different aspect of God that should be praised. Not only are the last five chapters of the Book of Psalms about praise, but the last five chapters are instructional on how to praise!
Some examples of how and what to praise:
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God (146:5, ESV).
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure (147:5).
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven (148:13).
Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! (149:1)
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! (150:2)
In the last five books of Psalms, we find everything praising God—human and angelic and all creation, even the stars and heavens. We learn to worship with songs, dancing, shouts, and many musical instruments.
And we realize that when we know God, our only response is praise!
It’s important to praise God, as the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!”
Praise gives us God’s perspective of life; praise enables us to emerge from darkness victorious; a mere breath of praise starts emotional healing; praise releases God’s power; and praise gives honor to Whom honor is due.
After the final five chapters—all about praise—in the Book of Psalms, we find the greatest lesson of life in the final verse:
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (150:6)
Amen. Peace out!