Read & explore together
Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the LORD
Psalm 150 is a short song that calls for praise to God. It moves from where praise is offered, to why God is praised, to the sounds and movement named in the song, ending with a call for everything with breath to praise Yah.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage repeats the command to praise all the way through. It names God’s sanctuary and heavens, his acts of power and excellent greatness, then lists instruments, dancing, and finally everything that has breath. The whole psalm stays centred on praise to God.
Psalms 150:1–6Main takeaway
Psalm 150 teaches that praise to Yah is full, joyful, and based on God’s mighty acts and excellent greatness.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Praise directed to GodThe psalm opens with “Praise Yah” and then says, “Praise God”. This keeps the focus on God himself.
Explanation
The psalm opens with “Praise Yah” and then says, “Praise God”. This keeps the focus on God himself. Praise is named in his sanctuary and in his heavens, so the song begins by lifting the reader’s eyes to the places this psalm mentions as belonging to God’s praise.
02Reasons for praiseThe next lines explain why praise is fitting. God is to be praised for his acts of power and his mighty acts.
Explanation
The next lines explain why praise is fitting. God is to be praised for his acts of power and his mighty acts. He is also praised according to his excellent greatness. The psalm does not leave praise vague. It ties praise to what God has done and to God’s greatness.
03Praise with sound and movementThe middle of the psalm lists trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, stringed instruments, flute, and cymbals, and it also names dancing.
Explanation
The middle of the psalm lists trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, stringed instruments, flute, and cymbals, and it also names dancing. The repeated command to praise runs through every line. The effect is a poem filled with noise, rhythm, and movement, all directed toward God.
04Everything that has breathThe last verse widens the call beyond the instruments just named. It says, “Let everything that has breath praise Yah!”
Explanation
The last verse widens the call beyond the instruments just named. It says, “Let everything that has breath praise Yah!” The final words, “Praise Yah!” end the psalm the same way it began. The closing line leaves the reader with a broad call to praise Yah.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons for praise are actually named in this psalm?
Look for the lines about God’s acts of power, mighty acts, and excellent greatness, not only the instruments.
02What kinds of praise are described in the middle of the psalm?
Notice the instruments, the dancing, and the repeated word “praise” across these verses.
03Who is called to praise in the final verse?
Answer with the wording of the verse itself and include the final command that follows it.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 150:1–6
1Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
2Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre!
4Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
5Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!