Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse hints at a richness in worship that goes beyond just noise; the two types of cymbals mentioned, "loud" and "high-sounding," suggest a deliberate variety and intensity in expressing joy to God, not merely a random clang. It encourages us to consider the different ways we can bring our most vibrant praise to Him, using every facet of our expression.
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This final psalm in the Psalter is a grand, climactic call to worship, encompassing all creation. Following a series of psalms dealing with various human experiences, Psalm 150 summarizes the purpose of all life and worship, urging praise through every means available, including a crescendo of musical instruments. The verse about cymbals brings the psalm to a joyful, percussive peak, emphasizing a jubilant and unrestrained celebration of God's greatness.
Why does Psalm 150 end with such a crescendo of noise?
The final verse of Psalm 150 calls for praise with "sounding cymbals" and "loud clashing cymbals." These aren't just any instruments; they represent instruments of intense joy and celebration.
A Musical Climax
Scholars suggest these phrases might refer to different types of cymbals – perhaps smaller, sharper ones and larger, booming ones. The point isn't the precise distinction, but the intensity of the sound.
Purpose of Loud Praise
This isn't background music; it's a deliberate, enthusiastic outpouring. It's the sound of hearts overflowing with gratitude and awe, declaring God's greatness for all to hear. It completes the psalm's call to praise, bringing the entire collection to a thunderous, joyful conclusion.
What does it mean to praise God with everything we have?
Psalm 150 is a grand finale, calling all creation to praise God. Verse 5, with its focus on cymbals, pushes us to consider the nature of our praise.
Beyond Quiet Reflection
While quiet contemplation has its place, this verse calls for a more outward, even boisterous, expression of worship. It suggests that our praise shouldn't be contained; it should be so full that it demands to be heard.
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All of Creation Praising
The entire psalm culminates in the command for "everything that has breath" to praise the Lord. The loud, clashing cymbals are part of this universal call, representing the enthusiastic, uninhibited praise that God deserves. Our whole being, with all its capacity for sound and emotion, is meant to be engaged in worship.
Understand the original words
ṣelṣal · Hebrew Noun
Percussion instruments consisting of brass plates, used in the temple liturgy to create loud, ringing, or clashing sounds to mark moments of great celebration.
This psalm, calling for praise with cymbals, reflects a long tradition of Israelite worship, from the establishment of the Temple to the Second Temple period, emphasizing the use of all available instruments for exuberant praise.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital and brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city. Musical instruments and worship are central to his reign.
c. 950 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction
Solomon builds the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent structure that becomes the center of Israelite worship. Musical ensembles, including those using cymbals, are part of the Temple service.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport many Israelites. This event profoundly impacts worship and the use of instruments.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Worship is re-established, though perhaps with changes from the pre-exile period.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A period of conflict and religious persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, followed by a successful revolt that rededicated the Temple.
c. 2nd century BC— this verse
Composition of Psalms 150
Psalms 150 is likely composed during the Second Temple period, possibly reflecting a desire to see all of creation and all musical instruments join in praise.
This passage directly mentions the use of cymbals, specifically 'cymbals of bronze, to sound aloud,' highlighting their role in making a joyful noise for worship, similar to Psalm 150.
Nehemiah 12:27This verse describes the dedication of Jerusalem's walls, where cymbals were used alongside other instruments in a grand procession of praise, showing their suitability for significant, joyful worship events.
1 Corinthians 13:1Paul uses the image of a 'clanging cymbal' to describe a love that lacks substance, contrasting the empty noise of mere sound with true, meaningful devotion, which underscores the importance of the *spirit* behind the praise in Psalm 150.
Psalm 98:6This psalm also calls for praise with 'trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn' and 'with the sounding of the lyre,' presenting a similar comprehensive call to praise God with all available instruments and voices.
pulpitPsalms 150:5: "Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals."
Verse 5. - Praise him upon the loud cymbals; praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. "We can hardly," says Professor Cheyne, "venture to distinguish two kinds of cymbals on the ground of these two epithet" The mention of "cymbals" is reserved to the last, as being the instrument of music most expressive of joy and jubilation. It completes the musical climax, as ver. 6 completes the ideal one.
ellicottPsalms 150:5: "Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals."
(5) Cymbals. —Heb., tseltselîm ( 2Samuel 6:5 ), a word evidently formed to express the sound of the instrument. Two kinds are evidently indicated in this verse, the “loud” cymbals (literally, cymbals of hearing ) , and “high-sounding” (literally, of tumult ) . As the Arabs use at present a larger and smaller instrument (see Bible Educator, 2, 211, 311), it is possible that the same distinction is made h…
This verse hints at a richness in worship that goes beyond just noise; the two types of cymbals mentioned, "loud" and "high-sounding," suggest a deliberate variety and intensity in expressing joy to God, not merely a random clang. It encourages us to consider the different ways we can bring our most vibrant praise to Him, using every facet of our expression.
This final psalm in the Psalter is a grand, climactic call to worship, encompassing all creation. Following a series of psalms dealing with various human experiences, Psalm 150 summarizes the purpose of all life and worship, urging praise through every means available, including a crescendo of musical instruments. The verse about cymbals brings the psalm to a joyful, percussive peak, emphasizing a jubilant and unrestrained celebration of God's greatness.
This final psalm in the Psalter is a grand, climactic call to worship, encompassing all creation. Following a series of psalms dealing with various human experiences, Psalm 150 summarizes the purpose of all life and worship, urging praise through every means available, including a crescendo of musical instruments. The verse about cymbals brings the psalm to a joyful, percussive peak, emphasizing a jubilant and unrestrained celebration of God's greatness.
"Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!" — This verse hints at a richness in worship that goes beyond just noise; the two types of cymbals mentioned, "loud" and "high-sounding," suggest a deliberate variety and intensity in expressing joy to…
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Last reviewed October 2026