Psalm 150 5

Psalm 150:5 kjv

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalm 150:5 nkjv

Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Psalm 150:5 niv

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Psalm 150:5 esv

Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Psalm 150:5 nlt

Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

Psalm 150 verses

Psalm 150 5 Meaning

Psalm 150:5 commands a robust and uninhibited expression of praise to the Lord through percussion instruments. It specifically calls for the use of "sounding cymbals" and "loud clashing cymbals," emphasizing both clarity and resounding might in the act of worship, culminating in an audible and triumphant declaration of God's greatness.

Psalm 150 5 Context

Psalm 150 stands as the grand finale of the entire Book of Psalms, a majestic crescendo that summarizes and amplifies the overarching theme of praise to the Creator. Each preceding verse of Psalm 150 escalates the call to worship, specifying various locations, reasons, and instruments for praise. This culminating psalm is situated after psalms that celebrate God's deliverances and justice. Historically, music and instruments played a central role in Israelite temple worship, often led by Levites appointed for this purpose. The call for loud, unreserved praise with specific instruments in Psalm 150:5 highlights the comprehensive and celebratory nature of Israelite worship, emphasizing sensory engagement. This vibrant form of praise contrasted with any attempts by surrounding cultures to co-opt such sounds for their pagan rituals by redirecting all glory and fervent expression solely to Yahweh, the one true God, and not to idols or foreign deities, thus affirming the uniqueness of Israel's monotheistic worship.

Psalm 150 5 Word analysis

• Praise him: (Hebrew: Halləlūhū) This is a repeated imperative from the root hillel, meaning "to praise, to glorify, to boast in, to shine." The suffix "hu" means "him," referring to the LORD mentioned in Psalm 150:1. The repetition of this command at the beginning of both phrases in the verse emphasizes the unceasing and central purpose of the action: the exaltation of God.
• with sounding cymbals: (Hebrew: bətsiltsēlēy shāmāʿ)
  • with: (Hebrew: bə) The preposition indicates the instrument by which the praise is rendered.
  • cymbals: (Hebrew: tsiltsēlīm) A percussive instrument producing a sharp, metallic sound. Used in temple worship for their resonant and distinct contribution to the orchestral praise. Their use often indicated a momentous or joyful occasion.
  • sounding: (Hebrew: shāmāʿ) From the verb meaning "to hear, to listen, to understand." Here, it signifies cymbals that are audible, clear, distinct in their sound, or those played simply for sound, indicating their function as a musical instrument for aural praise. This could suggest cymbals producing a clearer, perhaps more ringing or sustained tone.
• praise him: (Hebrew: Halləlūhū) Repeated for emphatic effect, underscoring the fervent and relentless nature of the praise.
• with loud clashing cymbals: (Hebrew: bətsiltsēlēy tərûʿāh)
  • with: (Hebrew: bə) Again indicating the means of praise.
  • cymbals: (Hebrew: tsiltsēlīm) Same as above, but with a different modifier.
  • loud clashing: (Hebrew: tərûʿāh) This significant term implies a loud, triumphant shout or blast, often associated with a war cry, alarm signal, or a joyful acclamation. It carries connotations of an unreserved, even piercing, shout of jubilation or battle. Applied to cymbals, it denotes their use for exceedingly loud, resounding, perhaps even chaotic, praise. This distinguishes them from the merely "sounding" cymbals, pointing to a forceful and highly percussive expression, possibly referring to a larger, heavier pair of cymbals, or simply how they are played with maximum impact. This word encapsulates the powerful, exuberant, and overwhelming nature of the commanded praise.

Psalm 150 5 Bonus section

The distinction between tziltzelei shama and tziltzelei teruah is often interpreted by scholars as potentially referring to different types or sizes of cymbals used in ancient Israelite music: perhaps smaller, finger cymbals for general melodic or rhythmic accompaniment (shama - "sounding," audible as part of the overall sound) versus larger, more impactful crash cymbals for emphasis and celebratory outbursts (teruah - "loud clashing," evoking a battle cry or triumphal shout). This verse thus demands the full spectrum of percussive expression in worship. Psalm 150 serves as an all-encompassing doxology for the entire Book of Psalms, leaving the reader with the resounding impression that praise should be a holistic, enthusiastic, and ceaseless activity involving all aspects of creation, concluding with every living thing, as stated in Ps 150:6.

Psalm 150 5 Commentary

Psalm 150:5 culminates the Psalmist's vision for praise, moving from the ethereal ("in his mighty heavens") to the physical, grounding it in robust human musicality. The command to praise with two distinct types of cymbals emphasizes both the clarity and the sheer volume desired in worship. "Sounding cymbals" (shāmāʿ) suggest a clear, discernible musical contribution, a precise sound. "Loud clashing cymbals" (tərûʿāh), however, evoke an unbridled, almost overwhelming burst of sound, echoing triumphal shouts or alarm blasts. This dual emphasis ensures that praise is not just heard, but profoundly felt; it's an auditory explosion, reflecting the boundless majesty of God. This verse challenges any notion of timid or subdued worship, instead inviting believers to offer their loudest, most energetic, and unreserved praise, much like the unrestrained joy displayed in King David's dance before the ark (2 Sam 6:14-15). It implies that true adoration can be, at times, joyously disruptive and undeniably prominent, a resounding testament to God's ultimate worth.