Abstract:
Without doubt the final hymn of the Psalter can be described as the climax, or grand finale,
of the Israelite faith’s most known hymnbook. In this psalm, sound and action are blended
into a picture of ecstatic joy. The whole universe is called upon to magnify Yah(weh), the
God of Israel. The text poses various exegetical challenges. In the past, Psalm 150 was
traditionally analysed as a single text; but with the advent of the canonical and redactionhistorical
approaches to the interpretation of the Book of Psalms, Psalm 150 can be interpreted
as part of the final Hallel (Pss 146–150), or Book V (Pss 107–150) of the Psalter. This view
opens up new possibilities for reading the psalm in broader contexts and its broader literary
context(s) illuminate its theological significance. This article is an attempt at reflecting on the
psalm’s context(s), structure, Gattung and dates of origin, tradition-historical relations to the
Pentateuch, Psalms and other Old Testament texts. Ultimately some reflections on the psalm’s
theological significance will be suggested.
