Constructing a theology of music, a theology of praise can be slippery at times.  When specific examples get raised, questions begin to multiply.  When questions multiply, answers must be given.  Where do we get these answers? From musicology? Sociology? History? Let us consider a 6 verse psalm that defines for us a solid, biblical philosophy of praise.  Let us consider Psalm 150 (NAS).

1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. ² Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. ³ Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. ⁴ Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. ⁵ Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. ⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

The Focus of Praise is God and Only God. (Psalm 150.1-2)

The focus for all praise and musical worship is God.  Praise is God-centered.  Psa 150.1-2 show that God's character (v.1) and God's work (v.2) are the themes for praise.  Notice, there is nothing human in focus here. There is no how I feel about life, God, work, relationships, problems, joys, etc.  The themes are God in His holy heavens, set apart, inaccessible, unreachable, completely and highly exalted above all creation.  The thrice holy God and His mighty deeds.  Everything God does is mighty.  There is nothing feeble, lacking, mediocre, common, or weak in His works.  They are altogether wonderous and strong.

When worship music fails to keep God as the center, it ceases to be praise.  When worship music begins to focus on the indivdiual and his emotional, psycho-social dispositions and reactionary mental workings and behaviors to his environment and circumstanecs, the music ceases to be praise, and begins to be musical hedonism. 

Also note that in v.2, the psalm states: "Praise Him according to His excellent greatness."  Give attention to "according to."  There is a specific way in which this praise is to be given that is according to God's excellent greatness," literally, "abouding greatness."  Mediocre praise worship is never justified.  Note that the issue of excellence is not musical excellence, but worshipful excellence.  An excellent heart of worship is required of us when we come to the place of praise worship.  Haphazard preparation, meaningless repetition of stanzas, overemphasis of musical activity without spiritual participation in worship, mediocre interest and attention to God--these are not "according to" the excellent greatness of God.  When mediocre or even worse, non-spiritual worship is done, then we are not praising God "according to" HIS greatness, but according to OUR dispositions.  This is human-centered to its very core and completely dethrones God of His rightful place as the object of worship during praise. This is a great responsibility that we have, let us trust in the great grace that we have been given and offer a sacrifice of praise that is worthy of the Name that we are exalting. 

The Manner of Praise is Personal Devotion. (Psalm 150.3-5)

Many instruments are named.  Some may find justification for using certain instruments with a passage such as this.  But this is not the central focus of these verses.  To find a justification for physical imitation in areas such as these is hardly a fruitful hermeneutical exercise.  Rather, let us look to the principle behind the text. To play with such instrumental accompaniment is to entail learning, skill/technique, concentration/focus, time, effort, and devotion.  This is a very personal activity that does not seek to benefit from it like secular music performances.  Rather, praise worship is not a performance but a sacrifice, something offered as an expression of love and adoration.  

Also note that it is the instruments that accompany and assist praise, not the other way around.  Praise does not accompany instrumental performance.  If I were to play a guitar in praise worship, I do not participate in praise worship in order to have a chance to show off my guitar playing skills.  Nor do I play the guitar for worship in order to avoid falling asleep if I "just sit through worship."  Is the guitar the accessory or is praise the accessory?  Do I get bored in praise worship when I just sit as opposed to playing an instrument?  If I am playing an instrument for a praise worship, is to more important that I be there for worship than when I don't play an instrument? Does my involvement with the praise team determine how I value worship? Which is more indispensible in my praising God - the musical instrument or the heart of worship?  Playing an instrument during praise is not a performance, but a sacrifice that is given and offered to God. We are all offering a sacrifice to God, the question is, who has the heart devotion while we dynamically praise God?

The Requirement of Praise is Every Living Thing (Psalm 150.6)

Who is required to praise God?  The church choir, praise team, songleader?  The musically gifted, interested, or passionate?  Verse 6 shows that everything that has breath is called to worship.  If we live and breathe, our duty is to praise God.  Even the stars shine as they are supposed to shine.  The winds blow as they are supposed to blow.  The creatures of earth, sea, and air all do what they are supposed to be doing.  And what of humanity? What is humanity supposed to do?  The Spirit of God shows us in Scripture that we were created in the image of God, therefore, we are supposed to reflect God. As creatures who breathe, our job is to glorify God, to praise Him.  Are we praising God? The call to worship is made.  Who will answer the call the right way, according to God's excellent greatness? Who will praise God with a personal devotion?  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!