Scripture/Text: Psalms 146-150; This week's message marks the end of a 4.5-year journey through all 150 Psalms. This final sermon focuses on the final five “Hallelujah Psalms” (Psalms 146-150). We explore how each of these psalms end with “Hallelujah” (praise the LORD). Yet, each of these psalms also communicates its own unique message and theme: hope and happiness beyond the grave (Psalm 146), healing and humility (Psalm 147), heaven and earth in cosmic praise (Psalm 148), hearts and hands in joyful service (Psalm 149), and culminating in pure, unbridled praise (Psalm 150). The overarching message is that the long, difficult journey through life's valleys and trials ends not in despair but in “Hallelujah”—eternal, blessed happiness in God's presence through Jesus Christ, who fulfills these psalms as our Savior and hope.

Sermon Outline:

I. Hallelujah Is How It Ends

• Psalm 146: Hope for Happiness
• Psalm 147: Healing the Humble
• Psalm 148: Heaven and Earth
• Psalm 149: Hearts and Hands
• Psalm 150: Hallelujah and Hallelujah

II. Worship is How We Get There

• Psalm 146: Gospel-Centered Worship
• Psalm 147: God-Centered Worship
• Psalm 148: Word-Centered Worship
• Psalm 149: Christ-Centered Worship
• Psalm 150: Spirit-Filled Worship

Discussion Questions:

• How have you been impacted by going through the book of Psalms?
• How have the Psalms given you hope?
• How have the Psalms kept you looking toward eternal happiness?
• How have you seen God in His Word care for the humble and weak?
• How has God shown in His Word His delight in His people?
• How have you seen in your life that God takes pleasure in His people?
• Are there circumstances in your life that have caused you to doubt God's pleasure in you? How has His Word impacted your doubt?
• How does Genesis help us further understand Psalm 148?
• How does heavenly praise and earthly praise together impact our praise of God?
• How has God's salvation and sanctifying work in you led you to praise? In what ways is it displayed?
• How has God's changing work in your life led you to serve Him for His glory? How has this led you to praise?
• How has the ending of the Psalms pointed you to eternity? How does this impact your everyday life?
• How has the gospel helped you praise God even in the depths of sorrow? How have you seen God's goodness in these ways?
• How does Jesus fulfill Isaiah 61 and Psalm 146?
• How have God-centered songs helped you praise God more than yourself?
• How has Word-centered worship impacted your life?
• How can you grow in spending time in and learning God's Word?
• How has God's Word deepened your worship and intimacy with Christ?
• How does God's Word lead you to worship in body, heart, and soul?
• Is there an aspect of your life that, in light of God's Word, needs to grow in praising God?