Flying Closer to the Flame: Study Fourteen Let’s Just Praise the Lord

Opening Scripture: Psalm 150:1-2 1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens![a]

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!

-Pray

“Those who praise God are realistic people who live in realistic times, but their hearts overflow with joy.” —Pastor Charles R. Swindoll

Our journey of drawing closer to the Holy Spirit culminates in praise.

When we are filled with the Spirit, worship flows naturally. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “God has planted eternity in the human heart.”

That eternal longing within us seeks connection with our eternal Creator.

Praise is the Spirit’s pathway that leads us into God’s presence—where our souls feel most at home.

The final five psalms—Psalm 146 through 150—form a grand crescendo of praise.

Each psalm begins and ends with the same call to worship: Hallelujah! This resounding refrain translates to “Praise the Lord!” and serves as the fitting conclusion to the book of Psalms—a Hallelujah Chorus of the Scriptures.

The word hallelujah is a combination of two Hebrew words: halel (to boast, celebrate) and Yah (a short form of God’s name, Yahweh).

This jubilant command invites all worshippers into some of the most exalted expressions of praise in all of Scripture.

Observation: The When, Who, Where, How, and Why of Praise

The final psalms outline a comprehensive pattern of worship, addressing the when, who, where, how, and why of praise.

When to Praise—Psalm 146

“I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.” (Psalm 146:2)

Even in our lowest moments, we are called to praise.

Psalm 146:5 reminds us that our hope and help are found in the Lord.

This psalm lists desperate circumstances—oppression, hunger, imprisonment, blindness, and loneliness (146:7–9)—yet declares that God is the answer to each of these troubles.

“When we’re burdened, praise seems unnatural. But praise and joy go hand in hand. Without one, we will never experience the other.” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Whom We Praise—Psalm 147

“How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!” (Psalm 147:1)

We live in a culture that idolizes beauty, intellect, and talent.

Even in church, the focus can shift from the message to the messenger.

Psalm 147 redirects our attention to the Lord alone.

Make a list of the verbs in this psalm that describe God’s actions and character.

As we meditate on His works, we are reminded that only He is worthy of our adoration.

“We are so enamored with praising others that praising only God seems unusual. But God is most pleased when we worship Him alone.” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Where We Praise—Psalm 148

Where is the best place to worship?

Is it within the vaulted ceilings of a cathedral?

Psalm 148 takes us on a tour of the grandest sanctuaries—the sky, the depths of the ocean, the sun, moon, and stars—all of creation sings His praises!

“God gave us the beauty of this earth to prompt praise. Where do we worship? Everywhere we go!” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

How We Praise—Psalm 149

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the praises of his people be in their mouths.” (Psalm 149:1, 6)

This psalm reveals that worship is not passive—it is active, filled with singing, rejoicing, and even dancing before the Lord.

“There is a freshness and freedom in praise. When the Spirit prompts your heart in worship, enjoy it!” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Why We Praise—Psalm 150

“Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!” (Psalm 150:2)

The final psalm presents two overarching reasons for praise: what God has done and who He is.

Our worship is limitless because His greatness knows no bounds.

“Here’s a simple formula for worship: Praise God for His work—what He does. His Word—what He says. His person—who He is. And His plan—what He has arranged. With that, you’ve covered all the bases.” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Interpretation: Worship through Music

Psalm 150 calls for worship through music, listing various instruments—horns, harps, tambourines, flutes, and cymbals.

How does worship through music apply today?

Music styles may change, but the heart of worship remains the same.

The principle is clear: God loves hearing our praise expressed through music.

Correlation: Worship through Dance

In 2 Samuel 6:12–15, David set aside his royal robes and danced with all his might before the Lord.

Unlike other kings who would have walked in stately dignity before the ark, David worshiped exuberantly.

What principle about worship can we learn from David’s actions?

True worship is not about formality; it is about wholehearted devotion.

“There are times when praise must be expressed physically. I’ve danced all over the living room in worship—I had to dance to get it out!” —Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Application: Worship When We’re Filled with the Spirit

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, worship is the overflow of our joy.

It is not about the method—it is about the joy that comes from the Spirit’s indwelling presence.

Consider these questions as you cultivate a life of worship:

-When do you praise? Try incorporating worship into the ordinary moments of your day.

-Whom do you praise? What reminders might help you shift your focus from praising people to praising God?

-Where do you praise? Worship is not confined to a church building—it can happen anywhere!

-How do you praise? What might you do to express your worship in new ways?

-Why do you praise? Use Pastor Chuck’s formula: Praise God for His work, His Word, His person, and His plan.

May we be a people who live in constant praise, flying ever closer to the flame of the Holy Spirit!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!