As we come to this last chapter in this beautiful book of praise, let's take a look back at the first chapter. The book opens with a decision--two roads. It tells us that the person who declines to listen to the advice of the ungodly, who does not walk in his ways but who delights in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, will be happy. And so the book ends with the praises of the man who has chosen to follow God's path.
And so Psalm 150 is a joyous call to praise the Lord!
- Where should we praise the Lord? In his sanctuary and in his mighty heaven--everywhere!
- Why should we praise the Lord? For His mighty works and his unequaled greatness!
- How should we praise the Lord? "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." Wow! It sounds loud and boisterous and joyous. It brings to mind musicians and choirs and orchestras and God's people joyously praising the Lord. Music was obviously an important part of worship and has remained so through the centuries.
- Who should praise the Lord? "Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!" I guess it's safe to say that as long as we're breathing, we should praise the Lord.
This chapter begins with "After the uproar had ceased,..." Uproars usually do cease, and that's a comfort! Paul, in his travels, meets with friends and fellow believers and encourages and teaches them. This section records an incident in Troas when Paul spoke until midnight on the night before his departure. A young man named Eutychus who was sitting in an upper windowsill (probably a bad idea!) fell asleep and fell to his apparent death. Paul went down, picked him up, and told the people not to worry that he was alive. This is all the explanation we are given--a scriptural example of understatement! I would assume that God worked a miracle here. Paul and the rest went back upstairs, partook of the Lord's Supper, and talked until dawn when Paul left. Eutychus was taken home unhurt, "and everyone was greatly relieved."
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