Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 150
The cl. PSALM.
David, never wearie of this theme, presseth hard upon all, principally the Church and people of God to praise the Lord, and that both in and by his commanded worship, as also by the book and borrowed helps of nature, creation, and providence, and the glorious manifestations he makes of hims…f herein, and this to be done with Heart and Art, to the utmost of both. He concludes, that all flesh by nature is bound to do it, and Israel by grace.Psalm cl.
1PRaise ye the Lord, praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.1 YE that are the people of the Lord, be much imployed in this singular service of praising and magnifying him, that is so much yours above others, and that have his peculiar residence amongst you in his sanctuarie, the resemblance of heaven, where is his proper residence, such is the condiscention of his Divine greatness and Majestie to be worshipped, as in heaven by glorified saints, so also here by sanctified ones, which be sure you neglect not, that are his chosen priviledged people, worhsip him here below with your minds above, as you extend your voices, so enlarge your graces, eye him, and reverence him in his heavenly sanctuarie, when you draw nigh to praise him in his earthly, where he principally resides in glorie and Majestie, even above the firmament which so manifests his greatness, and magnifies his power in the infinit extension of it, and the varietie of excellent creatures that are in it, to draw your soul upward; though your bodies are prostrate, and to give you to understand, that it is the great God of heaven, whose wonders shine in the firmament above, that you are to magnifie in your sanctuarie-praises here beneath.
2 Whose works of power are not onelyonly in the firmament,2Praise him for his mightie acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. but extended (like it) every where upon the face of the whole earth, for all which both above and below you ought to praise him, and that with faith and reverence proportionable to such powerful efficatiousness, that can bring forth such wonderful effects of creative and providential omnipotencie, as every where he doeth, especially for his people, all which shews, with what surpassing greatness he excelleth, whose throne is so high above all, and his power in and over all; the glorie and reverence whereof as he expects it, so we ought to render it with praisefull adoration, that are the peculiar people of such a God.
3, 4, 5 Muster up all your forces to this work and dutie,3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him in his sanctuarie with the utmost expression can be made,4Praise him with the timbrel & dance: prai…e him with the stringed instruments, and organs. tune all your stringed instruments, and that unto the highest key, and make your wind instruments speak out aloud. Let nature, Art,5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. and grace, put forth themselves to the utmost, with the highest affections and utmost expressions celebrate his praises on earth as in heaven, who deserves it, and whose deserts do far transcend it.
6 Let all flesh breathing give glorie to God their Creatour,6Let every thing that hath breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. and praise his name that is so praise-worthie in the eyes of all, by the manifold manifestations of his infinite and superlative excellencies, in their own particulars, and in the whole creation so plainly appearing; but most especially ye that are especially the Lords, praise ye the Lord, not onelyonly for the generalitie of greatness and goodness, that all the world partakes the knowledge and benefit of, but be ye so ravished with the peculiaritie of the grace, merciemercy, and love of God to you respectively, as to put forth your selves in a return of praise above nature, suitable and acceptable, magnifying grace with grace, singing and making melodie in your hearts to the Lord your God.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Abbot, Notes on the Book of Psalms (1651)