Approved/150/Expanded Paraphrase

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Text (Hebrew) Verse Expanded Paraphrase
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ׀ הַֽלְלוּ־אֵ֥ל בְּקָדְשׁ֑וֹ הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בִּרְקִ֥יעַ עֻזּֽוֹ׃ 1 Praise Yah the God of Israel. Praise God who is in his sanctuary which is in the heavens. For, he is not just the God of Israel, but the God of the universe. His sanctuary is also his palace, the place from which he rules. He has entered his sanctuary and so has begun to rule over the whole world. Praise him who is in his strong firmament. The firmament is the base that supports YHWH's throne. Just as the firmament covers the earth, so YHWH's rule is universal, and the strength of the firmament means that YHWH's throne is stable and enduring.
הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בִגְבוּרֹתָ֑יו הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ כְּרֹ֣ב גֻּדְלֽוֹ׃ 2 YHWH has accomplished mighty feats like the great military exploits of a king. Praise him for his achievements. His achievements have earned him his exceedingly high status. And the high status of a king demands high praise from his subjects. Praise him according to his great greatness.
הַֽ֭לְלוּהוּ בְּתֵ֣קַע שׁוֹפָ֑ר הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בְּנֵ֣בֶל וְכִנּֽוֹר׃ 3 YHWH has ascended to the throne in his heavenly sanctuary, and a king's reign is announced with the blast of a horn. So, Praise him with the blast of a horn. The enthronement of a king, announced by the horn, might be followed by a great musical celebration. YHWH's enthronement is cause for great celebration, joy and thanksgiving. So, Praise him with lyre and lute.
הַֽ֭לְלוּהוּ בְתֹ֣ף וּמָח֑וֹל 4 People, especially women, play drums and dance to celebrate a king's victory in battle. YHWH has won a great victory. He has conquered all of his enemies. So, Praise him with drum and dance. His triumph is cause for great celebration and joy. So, Praise him with strings and flute.
הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בְצִלְצְלֵי־שָׁ֑מַע הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בְּֽצִלְצְלֵ֥י תְרוּעָֽה׃ 5 Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with resounding cymbals.
כֹּ֣ל הַ֭נְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּ֥ל יָ֗הּ הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ 6 YHWH has created every living creature. And because YHWH reigns over the universe, his rule extends over every living creature, and every living creature benefits from his rule. Therefore, Let every living creature praise Yah with the very breath which he has given them. Praise Yah.