Seder 3: Psalm 150---The Who, Where, Why, What, How of Praise

 Psalm 150 closes the book of Psalms with a call to praise God.  Commentator Willem Van Gemeren observes that if one embarks on the journey of fearing and following God described in the first psalm, one will be led ultimately to adoration. 

The psalm tells us 

• who to praise:  God, the Creator and ruler of all.
• where he is:  in the heavenly sanctuary.
• why and for what to praise him:  for his mighty deeds that display his greatness.
• how to praise:  with full musical accompaniment, with the participation of the entire creation.

Because of the heavenly setting of verse 1, the midrash on Psalm 150 contemplates great works that God will do in the heavens at the end of the age, judging heavenly beings that he has set over the nations (as in Psalm 82) and bringing the new heavens and new earth.  The midrash quotes passages like....

Isa 34:4:  "All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll.  All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree."

Isa 51:6:  "Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever."