King James Version

What Does Psalms 150:6 Mean?

Psalms 150:6 in the King James Version says “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 150 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

Psalms 150:6 · KJV

Context

4

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. dance: or, pipe

5

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The final verse of the Psalter, and the final verse of Scripture's book of praise, completes the great doxology: 'Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. FINAL VERSE OF PSALTER.' The universality of this call is absolute: 'every thing that hath breath' (kol-neshama) encompasses all living creatures. The command 'praise the LORD' is not limited to humans, conscious believers, or the righteous - all living beings are called to participate in universal praise. The doubling of 'Praise ye the LORD' at the verse's end emphasizes this ultimate call. The theological claim is staggering: the purpose of all existence, summarized in the final verse of Scripture's wisdom and prayer literature, is to praise God. This is not peripheral to creation's meaning but central. Every creature that breathes participates in or is called to participate in praising God. This vision encompasses all creation: beasts of the field, birds of the air, creatures of the water, humanity - all have breath and all are called to praise. The verse represents the ultimate summation of biblical theology: creation exists to glorify God, and praise is the fitting human and cosmic response to this reality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 150 functions as the grand conclusion not just to individual psalms but to the entire Psalter. The division into five books (Psalms 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) suggests intentional editorial compilation. Psalm 150 appears to be the final psalm added to provide a triumphant, universal conclusion. The vision of universal praise draws together themes from throughout the Final Hallel: heavenly praise (Psalm 148), God's covenant with His people (Psalms 147, 149), and now universal praise of all creatures. This represents an eschatological vision: in the end times, all creation will recognize God's glory and offer praise. The Mishnah (Tamid 5:1) records that this psalm was sung in the Second Temple as the final hymn, making it the literal conclusion to daily temple worship. In Jewish liturgy, it remains the final blessing psalm in morning prayer. For Christians, this verse points toward the ultimate vision in Revelation 5:13, where 'every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,' praise God. The positioning of this verse as the final biblical voice before the New Testament represents a theology of universal worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that 'every thing that hath breath' is called to praise the LORD?
  2. How can creatures without conscious will (animals, inanimate creation) participate in praising God?
  3. Why does the Psalter conclude with a call to universal praise rather than with specific petitions or lamentations?
  4. In what ways does this final verse provide theological summary of all that precedes it?
  5. How should the vision of universal praise of God affect our understanding of creation's purpose and our participation in that purpose?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
כֹּ֣ל1 of 6
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַ֭נְּשָׁמָה2 of 6

“Let every thing that hath breath”

H5397

a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal

הַֽלְלוּ3 of 6

“Praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

יָֽהּ׃4 of 6

“the LORD”

H3050

jah, the sacred name

הַֽלְלוּ5 of 6

“Praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

יָֽהּ׃6 of 6

“the LORD”

H3050

jah, the sacred name

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 150:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 150:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 145:21Revelation 5:13Psalms 103:22Psalms 145:10Psalms 148:7-11

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 150 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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