Vashawn Mitchell - Psalm 150 Lyrics
Lyrics
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
(Let everything that has breath praise the Lord)
Sound the alarm to our most high God
(Praise the Lord, oh praise the Lord!)
Praise Him for His excellent greatness
(Praise Him for His excellent greatness)
With the cymbals and stringed instruments
(Praise the Lord, oh praise the Lord!)
Let our praise ring, be glorified, be glorified
Lord, we praise Your name!
Just like David, we'll praise in a-dancing
(Just like David, we'll praise in a dance)
Praise Him with lifting and clapping of hands
(Praise the Lord, oh praise the Lord!)
Bow down before You in majesty
(Bow down before You in majesty)
We declare Your name is holy
(Praise the Lord, oh praise the Lord!)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord!
Sound the alarm to our most high God
Oh, praise the Lord!
Lord, inhabit our praise
Let our praises of Your name
Dwell among us, oh God
And live in our praise.
Lord, inhabit our praise
Let our praises of Your name
Dwell among us, oh God
And live in our praise, in our praise,
Praise Your name!
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Release your praise, all the nations rejoice.
(2x)
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah...
Release your praise... release your praise...
Release your praise, all the nations rejoice!
Video
VaShawn Mitchell - Psalm 150
Meaning & Inspiration
Vashawn Mitchell's "Psalm 150," released on August 4, 2012, as a pivotal track on his album *Created4This*, stands as a powerful contemporary interpretation of one of the most resonant passages in sacred scripture. The song isn't merely a musical adaptation; it's a vibrant call to worship that breathes new life into the ancient text, inviting a generation to fully engage in the act of glorifying God. Its essence draws directly from the final psalm in the Book of Psalms, which serves as a grand crescendo, culminating the entire collection with an unequivocal, universal command for praise. Mitchell's rendition expands upon this profound scriptural foundation, delving into not just *what* praise is, but *why* and *how* it should be offered, ultimately seeking God's divine presence within that very adoration.
The core message of Mitchell's "Psalm 150" is an unwavering declaration that all living things, indeed "everything that has breath," are compelled to praise the Lord. This mirrors Psalm 150:6 directly, asserting that the very act of breathing is a continuous, living testament to the Giver of life, as depicted in Genesis 2:7 where God breathes life into man, or Job 33:4 which states, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." The urgency conveyed by "Sound the alarm to our most high God" elevates the command from a gentle suggestion to a clarion call, evoking biblical imagery of trumpets signaling important events or impending action, as seen in Numbers 10:9 for gathering or in Joel 2:1 as a warning. This isn't a passive request but an active summons to acknowledge divine sovereignty.
The song then thoughtfully explores the reasons for this profound worship, stating, "Praise Him for His excellent greatness." This echoes Psalm 150:2, which directs us to "Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!" Mitchell's composition implicitly prompts contemplation on what this "excellent greatness" encompasses: God's boundless power, His infinite wisdom, His unwavering faithfulness, and His unfathomable love that permeates all creation. It’s a recognition of a God who is both majestic and intimately involved, worthy of honor not just for what He does, but for who He inherently is (Psalm 145:3). The methods of praise are then outlined with a rich tapestry of biblical references. The call to praise "With the cymbals and stringed instruments" directly references the varied musical instruments prescribed in Psalm 150:3-5, emphasizing that all forms of artistic expression can be consecrated to God. The line "Just like David, we'll praise in a-dancing" draws inspiration from 2 Samuel 6:14, where King David, uninhibited by status or convention, danced with all his might before the Lord. This act of praise transcends mere performance; it’s a full-bodied, joyous surrender. Similarly, "Praise Him with lifting and clapping of hands" reflects ancient and contemporary postures of worship found throughout Scripture, from Psalm 28:2 and Psalm 63:4, to 1 Timothy 2:8, signifying adoration, supplication, and celebration. The act of bowing down before His majesty, acknowledging His holiness, connects to Psalm 95:6 and Revelation 4:8, where celestial beings perpetually declare His holiness, setting a precedent for earthly worshipers to declare, "We declare Your name is holy."
Perhaps the most profound message in Vashawn Mitchell's "Psalm 150" comes with the repeated plea, "Lord, inhabit our praise," and "Let our praises of Your name dwell among us, oh God and live in our praise." This moves beyond simply offering praise to actively inviting God's very presence into the act of worship. It's a theological aspiration rooted in Psalm 22:3, which proclaims that God "inhabits the praises of His people." The song transforms praise from a one-way utterance into a two-way communion, a sacred space where the divine and human meet. This concept suggests that true worship isn't just about expressing adoration; it's about creating an atmosphere where God chooses to manifest, transforming the individual and the collective gathering. The song then broadens its scope, crescendoing with "Hallelujah, release your praise, all the nations rejoice," which provides a glimpse into an eschatological vision found in Revelation 7:9-10 and Psalm 22:27, where people from every tribe and nation will stand before God's throne in unified worship. Mitchell's "Psalm 150" is far more than a song; it is a spiritual declaration, a guide to fervent worship, and an invitation to experience God's tangible presence through the power of uninhibited, biblically-rooted praise. It reminds us that our breath, our bodies, our voices, and our instruments are all vessels for expressing the magnificent truth of His excellent greatness.