Join the Choir?

(1) Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! (2)  Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! (3)  Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! (4)  Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! (5)  Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! (6)  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Psalms 150:1-6 ESV

Whoever compiled the Psalms was inspired to put this one last. After all the beautiful poems and prayers and laments and thanksgivings, the message we are to remember is “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” He’s using an imperative—a slightly softer word for command. If you can breathe, praise Yahweh, the one and only true God! When we say “Hallelujah,” we’re not just rejoicing—we’re speaking this same command! Hallelujah is the Hebrew imperative of praise attached to the Name of Yahweh. Hallel-u-jah! Praise the LORD! Just do it!

There is a special blessing attached to the gathering of believers for corporate worship. Psalm 150 is an exultant admonition to use whatever you have and praise the Lord with it: voice, feet, hands, instruments, whatever. Get grateful, then get happy, and let ‘er rip. When we do this, things happen.

• It provides a place for our King to sit in our services. “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” (Psalms 22:3).
• It ushers in the glory cloud! That’s the tangible presence of the God of the universe—a truly awe-inspiring experience!  “and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
• We know that when we gather in His Name, that the Lord is present, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Can you imagine what church would look like if we really believed that He was there with us? I hope we would worship Him – maybe holler, maybe fall over, maybe weep – certainly more than a tepid nod.
• When we begin to worship together, the Lord actually joins with us!  “saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise” (Hebrews 2:12).

It’s Sunday. I am inviting you to be an active part of “The Everything That Has Breath Choir.” We’re not looking for great singers, we’re more interested in all-in, sold-out, give-Him-all- you-got worshippers. We don’t need talent or musicians or flashing lights. We just need breath and a willing heart. Let’s do this!