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Home , Psalm 106, Psalm 150, Psalm 71, Psalm 89

and the Use of Instruments in the

1. Each of the five books of the ends with a : : 13, : 18-19, :52, :48, Psalm 150. Psalms 146-150 offer a crescendo of Praise at the end of the .

2. There is a general movement through these five books of the Psalms from a contrast between the righteous and wicked [], the warfare of the wicked with the righteous [Psalms 2 and 3], through the coming and victory of Messiah [Psalms 22, 45, 110, and 118], to the praise of God [Psalms 146-150]. Many of the Psalms are occasional; that is, they are tied to specific occasions and situations. Psalms 51, , and are examples.

3. God's ancient people used certain Psalms on a regular basis in their worship: : 1 [Sabbath Day], 24: 1 [First Day LXX], 48: 1 [Second Day LXX], 82:1 [Third Day], 94:1 [Fourth Day LXX], 81:1 [Fifth Day], 93:1 [Sixth Day LXX]. The people also sang certain sets of Psalms on various occasions: Psalms 113-118 [Egyptian Hallet]; Psalms 120-134 [Psalms of Ascent]; Psalms 146-150 [Great Hallet]. Psalms 135 and 136 are also Sabbath Psalms. We use the Psalms similarly.

4. Psalm 150 has a similar occasional emphasis. We will attempt to validate this claim. As a first step, note the basic structure of the Psalm.

Praise the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise God in formal worship. When { Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise God in all of life.

Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise God for what He has done. Why { Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise God for who He is.

Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise God when the trumpet sounds over the sacrifice. Inclusio Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise God when 's instruments play. When Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise God when He a~ts to save. Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise God when you eat and drink. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise God in formal worship. Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Yes, praise God in formal worship.

Who {Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Let every rational being made by God give Him praise.

Praise the LORD!

5. Before moving forward, a preliminary word about the use of instruments in the Old Testament. Both the singing of Psalms and the use of instruments were part of the temple worship and sacrificial system of Israel abrogated by Christ [2 Chronicles 29:25-28, Nehemiah 12:31-36, 40-43, Ezra 3: 12, and Hebrews 10:4-10]. 6. In addition, as the temple and the sacrifices were types and shadows looking forward to Christ the anti-type and reality, so the playing of instruments themselves appear to have had typological significance. See Isaiah 30:29 and 58:1, Revelation 1:10, 4:1, 14:2-3, and 15:2-3. These instruments appear to typify a Spirit filled voice either speaking or singing. When the instruments fall away, the Spirit filled voice remains. This is a standard view of the instruments in the Old Testament.

7. A look at various words in Psalm 150

1Praise the LORD! - The root appears thirteen times in Psalm 150 in the imperative mood

Praise God in His sanctuary; Exodus 25:8 with Psalms 60:8 and 108:8 - Worship is focal point of holiness. Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Genesis 1:14, 1:15, 1:17

2Praise Him for His mighty deeds; See : 16 and Psalm 106:2 and compare KJV, NIV, ESV Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Deuteronomy 5:24 and God's greatness manifest in His deeds

3Praise Him with trumpet sound; See Psalms 47:6, 81 :4, and 98:6 and cpmpare with KJV, NIV, ESV Praise Him with harp and lyre. 1 Chronicles 25:6, 2 Chronicles 5: 12, Nehemiah 12:27 & 1 Kings 10: 12, Chronicles 9: 11 4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Genesis 31:27, Exodus 15:20, Job 21:7-12 Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Job 30:31, Isaiah 5:12, Revelation 18:21-22. 5Praise Him with loud cymbals; 1Chronicles15:16, 19 and 2 Chronicles 29:25 Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Ezra 3:10 and Nehemiah 12:27

6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Genesis 2:16, 6:17, 7:15; Job 34:14

Praise the LORD! Hallelujah

8. The preposition with in Psalm 150 may mean in, at, by, with, or among. It designates a place in verse 1. It is used of accompaniment as in traveling with others; that is, accompanying them, or traveling in their company. This differs from its use as the instrument or means. It could then be that Psalm 150:3-5 refers to praise accompanying the sound of the instruments rather than the other way around. The Psalm may therefore be an injunction to accompany the sound of the instruments with singing. Note 2 Chronicles 26:27. Compare 4 above

9. Consider Numbers 10:1-10 and 1Kings1:34 in this connection.

10. Praise the Lord in formal worship. Trumpet, harp, lyre, and cymbal seem to be the basic instruments accompanying the sacrifices. See 2 Chronicles 26:25-27.

11. Praise God on special occasions. These instruments are used in special celebrations. See 1 Chronicles 15:25-28, Ezra 3: 10, and Nehemiah 12:27.

12. Praise God on other occasions. Genesis 31:27, Exodus 15:20, Job 21:7-12, Job 30:31, Isaiah 5:12, Revelation 18:21-22.