A Crescendo of Praise

“Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:1, NIV

We didn’t get much practice using the final psalms in the book of Psalms during Lent because they are all filled with Hallelujahs!

The book of Psalms begins with a reflection on what it means to be wise and then, over its 150 chapters, covers the entire range of human emotions. There are psalms for when we feel abandoned, remembered, joyful, despairing, thankful and penitent – and many others! In fact, Martin Luther called the Psalms his “little Bible” because he considered it to be almost an entire summary of sacred Scripture.^[1]

While much of the book of Psalms spends time reflecting on our own sinful state – how in need we are of God’s healing and provision – by the time the book ends, we have reached a great crescendo of praise! The final psalms are filled with hallelujah after hallelujah!

On this Thursday after Easter, let us remember that all of creation is building to a great crescendo of praise for our God and King! Jesus has overcome death and opened for us a door into new and unending life with Him. Death no longer has victory; the grave no longer threatens us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord! Hallelujah!

“Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with timbrel and dancing,

praise him with the strings and pipe,

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:2-6, NIV

[1] Martin Luther, Preface to the Psalter, in Luther’s Works, vol 35, p. 254