Ps. 150 is the last of the psalms, and it is therefore fitting that it appears near the end of Pesukei D’Zimra, the passages of song. The language of the psalm is deceptively simple. It begins by stating, “Hallelujah [literally “Praise G-d”] Praise G-d in His holiness, praise G-d his mighty heaven. Praise Him for His mighty actions, praise Him for the abundance of His goodness.”
If not read carefully, this could just seem like so much “G-d talk,” a string of adjectives that seem repetitive and indistinct. But nothing could be further from the truth. These words are extraordinarily well chosen.
The first verse contrasts the natural order (the mighty heavens) with the spiritual order (the holiness, more specifically the holy sanctuary) which gives the natural order its meaning and purpose. Put another way, this one verse tries to address the question of where G-d can be found. Some would say that G-d is revealed to them in the wonders of nature, while others would say that they find G-d in the world of spirituality and transcendence. The point of the psalmist, though, is a) that G-d can be found in both; and b) that either way, our response should be the same—praise.
Regardless of where we are searching for G-d, there are two different aspects of G-d that can capture our attention and imagination. The first is raw power, G-d’s mighty actions. The second is G-d’s goodness. The physical world is filled with awe-inspiring spectacular events (think earthquakes, volcanoes, solar flares, mighty waterfalls) and creatures (eagles in flight, tigers in their full ferocity, and, of course, G-d’s favorite, whales). But nature is also filled with endless examples of G-d’s mercy—think of animals nursing or protecting their young, puppies and butterflies, dolphins leaping or chameleons just looking weird.) All can and should evoke the praise of G-d.
At the same time, G-d’s power and goodness are both manifest in the spiritual world. As far as power is concerned, no one can help but tremble when G-d’s wrath is unleashed in the struggle against the evil polluting G-d’s world. Even on the personal level, the mysteries of life and death are enough to bring one to one’s knees. On the other hand, we have so much for which to be grateful—joy, wisdom, love. All manifestations of the power of G-d’s goodness.
And all of the above (and more) is expressed in just 12 words in Psalm 150. Which just goes to show that G-d’s greatness is also manifest in the world of art, dance, and literature (but that’s the theme of the rest of Psalm 150, and we’ll discuss that another time!).
Rabbi Robert L. Wolkoff