Psalms 150:5

What does Psalms 150:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 150:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 150:5 means

As the enumeration of instruments reaches its climax, this verse highlights cymbals, specifically distinguishing between "loud cymbals" and "high sounding cymbals." This repetition and emphasis suggest a desire for the loudest and most impactful sounds in praise, signifying unrestrained joy and exhilaration in worship. It conveys the idea of an overwhelming, resounding sound that fills the atmosphere, reflecting the magnitude of God's glory and the fervor of His worshippers. This verse underscores that praise should be offered with enthusiasm and without reservation, utilizing every available means to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give him praise with the loud brass: give him praise with the high-sounding brass.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Praise Him with cymbals of sounding, Praise Him with cymbals of shouting.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Praise him with loud cymbals; praise him with high sounding cymbals.

Context

Following the detailed list of musical instruments in verses 3 and 4, this verse climaxes the instrumental descriptions with a focus on cymbals. The emphasis on "loud" and "high sounding" cymbals reinforces the idea of energetic and unreserved praise, bringing the musical instructions to a powerful zenith. This leads directly into the chapter's final, all-encompassing command, drawing together all previous calls to worship.

v.4Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe.

v.5This passage

v.6Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:1

    Moreover David and the captains of the host set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was:

  • 2 Samuel 6:5

    And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of instruments made of fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:6

    All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:5

    Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;

  • 1 Chronicles 15:16

    And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.

  • 1 Chronicles 13:8

    And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

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