Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Psalms 150:1-2 NLT
With the Jewish Temple being completely rebuilt and rededicated, the people of God felt like it a fresh start, a do-over. So much had happened, so many leaders had risen and fallen. With the kingdoms divided, the return to Jerusalem was bittersweet for Judah as well as the ten “lost” tribes of Israel. The northerners also built a temple on Mount Gerizim (sacred to the Samaritans) and installed Manasseh as high priest. The temple and the priestly appointment was considered illegitimate because Manasseh had married Sanballat’s (the Persian governor over Samaria) daughter. Remember Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well?
This Psalm not only captures the sense of celebration of this fresh start, it also becomes the crescendo closing of the book of Psalms. Ezra is likely the author, when he directs the grand opening band with all of their instruments. It must have been an explosive moment of praise and worship to God!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
The final words of a book filled with awe and wonder of God cries out, “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
All we can do is agree and say Amen!
Prayer
Dad,
Of all the high points of celebration. Of all the critical moments of history and reflection, this one stands out as an amazing and eternal declaration of who you are! It is the defining moment of our lives before you – YES, let everything that has breath sing praises to You! Amen.