What are the psalms of praise?

Answer

Psalm 95:2 states, “Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him” (NLT). A psalm is a song meant to be sung with musical instruments. The book of Psalms is a divinely inspired songbook that the Israelites used in collective worship. The psalms were written by various songwriters and musicians, with most attributed to David. Other contributors to the book of Psalms include Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, and several anonymous writers.

Psalms are poetic expressions of various emotions, similar to modern music, and the Bible contains different types of psalms: laments, thanksgiving songs, songs of ascent, and more. A recurring theme in Psalms is the praise of God. Many individual psalms were specifically composed to praise God, known as psalms of praise. Psalm 150 is a brief psalm of praise that starts and ends with the Hebrew word hallelujah, emphasizing praise through musical instruments and dance as ways to honor the Lord.

Even when the psalmists conveyed fear, sorrow, doubt, or anger in their songs, they often concluded laments with words of praise. For instance, Psalm 13 expresses distress over the speaker’s suffering caused by an adversary, yet it concludes with these words: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” (verses 5–6).

The psalms of praise celebrate the goodness and might of the Lord. The God of Israel is praised for His creations in nature (Psalm 19:1; Psalm 89:5; Psalm 148:3), His deliverance of His people (Psalm 18:10; Psalm 111:9), and His wonderful attributes.Attributes, such as lovingkindness and patience (Psalm 89:13-14;130:7).

Psalm 147 is a prime example of a psalm of praise. In this psalm, which also commences and concludes with the Hebrew word hallelujah, the singer expresses praise to God for the following reasons:

♪ The Lord preserves Israel (verse 2)

♪ He heals the brokenhearted (verse 3)

♪ He possesses great wisdom and power, as evident in creation (verses 4–5)

♪ He metes out justice (verse 6)

♪ He sends rain to sustain His creatures (verses 8–9)

♪ He protects Jerusalem and grants His people peace (verses 13–14)

♪ He controls the weather and the seasons (verses 15–18)

♪ He has revealed His Word to Israel and blessed them above all other nations (verses 19–20).

Since the Israelites were a people set apart to praise the Lord «For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. », (Jeremiah 13:11), it is only fitting that the majority of their songs were psalms of praise. We, too, have been saved “for the praise of his glory” «that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. », (Ephesians 1:12), and our songs should reflect our grateful praise. “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” «Praise ye the LORD: For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant; and praise is comely. », (Psalm 147:1).