The Way of the Word: The Ninetieth Psalm – A Contemplative Reading.
Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City
Psalm 190, the last chapter of the Psalms, is the last of the five psalms known as Hallelujahs, dating from 146. It is also the concluding psalm of the fifth set, which extends from one hundred seven to one hundred and forty-nine of the Book of Psalms. The psalmist invites all creatures on earth and in heaven to join the temple musicians and dancers in singing God’s praises. In the last chapter of the psalms, the psalmist, who invites everyone to sing praises to God, asks them to thank God for His mighty works and His glory. From the moment of creation to the present, God has been the face of care, concern and mercy. It is the duty and privilege of creatures to praise their Creator. This call to praise God in the last chapter of the psalm is also a prophecy of a day when all creation will be reached. The psalmist envisions a day when all His creatures will worship the Lord, the true God, in God’s holy temple, singing together in praise of God.
Praise be to God
In the first verse of the psalm, the creation answers two questions: to whom should praise be sung, and where should these songs of praise rise. “Praise the Lord; praise him in God’s holy house; praise him in the glorious firmament” (v. 1). In this final hallelujah song, like the previous four psalms, the psalm begins and ends with a call to praise God. There is no evil power or enemy before the psalmist here. Only pure and perfect feelings of praise should rise up to God from within the soul of every believer.
The most appropriate place for praise to God is the holy temple of His presence. There is no better place to praise God than His holy temple, set apart for God’s glory and the special place of God’s presence among men. But every place that is blessed and sanctified by God’s presence is fit for God’s praise. That is why the psalmist asks to “praise God in the glorious firmament” while still emphasizing the presence of God’s sanctuary. The psalmist reminds us that the firmament that separates this earth, inhabited by humans and other creatures, from the rest of the universe is also a place of praise. God’s presence pervades the entire universe.
Why praise God?
The psalmist, who calls all creatures to praise God, explains in the second verse of the psalm why God should be praised and what kind of praise should be given. “Praise him for his mighty works; praise him according to his majesty” (v. 2). God’s mighty works are the reason why He is praiseworthy. The whole universe, especially the people of Israel, can look back through the days of history and see the whole universe becoming a sign of God’s mighty works.
If the mighty works of God call us to praise God, we know that the One who is mightier and more glorious than the works is the One who caused them. That is why the psalmist says in the second part of this verse, “Praise him according to his majesty.” God’s glory extends beyond what can be felt or thought in this universe. In the third chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy, verse twenty-four, we read: “Lord God, your glory and your mighty hand have begun to be shown to your servant. Who else is there in heaven and on earth like you, who can do such a mighty work?” (Deuteronomy: 3, 24).
How to praise God?
The 90th psalm, which invites all creatures in the universe to praise God, clarifies how the praise to the Lord should be through verses three to five. With trumpets, lyres, lyres, and mittees, the created world should praise their Lord. He should be praised with tapu kotti, dance, strings and pipes. Praise the Lord with loud cymbals. Trumpet, veena, harp, tap, tantri, pipes and cymbals give the impression of a festive celebration, music festival. Praise is a moment of celebration. It is a commemoration and celebration of God’s blessings. When the law is given, at the proclamation of the jubilee, at the coronation of kings, at the occasion of war, and so on, the trumpet is sounded on important occasions. This trumpet also reminds us of the coming of God in this context.
The use of several instruments also suggests a call to use all in praise of God. These verses remind us that just as God’s care and love for us and for the universe is not hidden, the words and deeds of God’s praise should be revealed to the whole world. Can those who have known God’s love in their lives not sing His praises?
Who should praise God?
The psalm ends with the sixth verse, “Let all creatures praise the Lord! Praise the Lord” (v. 6). Praise the Lord, hallelujah, the psalmist wrote in the first verse of the last chapter of the book of Psalms, after explaining to whom, why, where and how the reasons and methods of praising God, who should sing praises to God. It is the universe created by God that should sing God’s praises. It is also an act of recognition. To sing God’s praises is the duty, right and blessing of every living being, every living creature who recognizes God as Lord and Creator.
Psalm in life
Summarizing the psalm thoughts here, we should be able to always keep in mind a thought that we are all called to receive God’s praises along with other living beings, and shout the Lord’s praises loudly every moment. Like every living thing in this universe, it is the Lord God who breathed life into us. Let the moments of the life of faith become praises to the God who accompanies, protects, helps, and becomes a savior in every moment of the history of the world and of our lives. May our lives become moments of powerful witness, confessing His mighty works in our lives and throughout the universe every day. Let us also sing praises to God with joy and gladness.