Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, grapples with this very question in its discussion of Psalm 150. It’s a powerful, almost apocalyptic vision, and it all hinges on understanding what it truly means to praise God.
The verse "Hallelujah, praise the Lord in His holiness" (Psalm 150:1) isn't just a nice sentiment, according to this Midrash. It's a prophecy waiting to unfold. The Midrash connects this idea to the prophet Ezekiel, who declares (Ezekiel 39:7), "I will make known my holy name." But how will God make His name known?
The answer, according to the Midrash, isn't necessarily comforting. It involves judgment. Ezekiel continues (Ezekiel 39:1-4), describing a scene of divine retribution against Gog, a figure often interpreted as representing the ultimate enemy of Israel. “I will turn you back, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army.” We're talking horses, fully armed horsemen, a great horde… a terrifying vision of war and destruction.
And it doesn't stop there. Isaiah (Isaiah 18:6) adds to this grim picture, foretelling that the enemies of God will be left as food for birds of prey and wild animals, a feast that lasts through summer and winter. Heavy stuff, right?
But why all this destruction? The Midrash argues that God's sanctification is intrinsically linked to the punishment of the wicked. Think back to the Exodus from Egypt. As we read in the Torah (Exodus 6:6), God promises to "bring out my people… to execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord." It was through these acts of liberation and justice that God's power and holiness were revealed. Only at that moment, the Midrash suggests, is God truly sanctified in His world.
The Midrash then circles back to Psalm 150, emphasizing the importance of praising God "in the expanse of His power." What does that even mean? What displays God's power? Well, the Midrash points to the heavens. Isaiah (Isaiah 34:4) paints a picture of cosmic upheaval: "All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved." The entire cosmos trembles before God's might. And in Isaiah 51:6, we're told to "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath." See the power?
But it's not just about celestial events. The Midrash takes it a step further, suggesting that God's power is also manifested in the downfall of earthly rulers. These rulers, the "mighty ones in the heavens," as the Midrash calls them, are the "princes of the nations." Haggai (Haggai 2:22) proclaims, "I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms." The Midrash interprets "overturning" as a literal descent from the heavens to the earth, a humbling of those who wield power unjustly.
Isaiah (Isaiah 34:5-6) adds another layer, saying, "My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed." The image is stark: divine judgment raining down, targeting specific nations associated with wickedness.
So, what’s the takeaway? This Midrash isn't just about predicting a future apocalypse. It's about understanding the profound connection between divine justice and the sanctification of God's name. It suggests that true praise isn't just empty words, but a recognition of God's power to enact justice and ultimately redeem the world. It challenges us to consider when and how we truly recognize God's presence in the world, and what role justice plays in that recognition.