Celebration (Psalm 150)

Halleluyah/Celebration © D. Yael Bernhard

Celebration was one of my very first religious illustrations, back in 1996.  My assignment was to illustrate Psalm 150, which begins with the Hebrew word “Halleluyah!”, or “praise God."  This beautiful psalm calls forth praise for Yah with horn and lute, violin and cymbal and drum – and according to one translation, even “husky flute” and “writhing dance!"  Worship as music and celebration certainly resonates down the ages, and touches an ancient root.  
 

What is being celebrated?  None other than our connection to the Divine, the Source of Life, the quantum field, the Tao or however you think of that which gives us life, makes us human, and keeps the cycles of nature flowing. That force is depicted here as a fanciful sun-star – or is it a sea-creature? The celebrants are of every race and nation, and they are free. 

When I look back at this painting twenty-six years later, I see it as a tapestry.  Figure and ground are of the same weave, the same wavy currents.  I've been thinking about tapestries lately, with the single strand of each individual existence taken up in a larger weaving of Creation.  The divergence and convergence of threads as our lives intermingle and separate, and the overall design that emerges with time, make for a fertile visual metaphor.

I deliberately created and titled this image as broadly as possible, to match the universal appeal of the psalm itself.  Over the years, people have interpreted this illustration in many ways, and it has been relicensed for several purposes, including the cover of a collection of world music produced by Narada Records. I love it when people see different things in my art. If you care to comment, your take is welcome too! 

Psalm 150 ends simply:   

Celebration is for sale – the original is painted in gouache on watercolor paper, approximately 6"x 9," plus mat and frame.  Please inquire if you're interested.  You can also order a poster or a card of the painting here.  

A good week to all!
 

D. Yael Bernhard

https://dyaelbernhard.com

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