Bible Commentaries
Psalms 148

Verses 1-14

Psalms 148

All Creation Called to Praise

Scripture v. 1-14:

This psalm was written to praise the Lord at the rebuilding of Zion. It is a praise-anthem of nature and grace. The psalmist called upon all the universe to praise God as follows:

1. The heavens and her creatures, v. 1-6.

2. The earth and her creatures, v. 7-9.

3. All animal life, v.10.

4. All people, v. 11-13.

5. His people, v. 14.

Verse 1 calls for the heavens, creatures of the heavens, from in the highest part of the heavens, where the angels are, to praise the Lord, in contrast with from earth below, v.7; Psalms 9:11; Psalms 102:19.

Verse 2 calls his angels, all his hosts (organized bands) to praise the Lord for His greatness, with heavenly praise, Nehemiah 9:6; Luke 2:13; Psalms 103:20-21.

Verse 3 calls on the sun, the moon, all the stars of light to praise Him, as the material creatures of heaven, in contrast with the hosts of angels of the highest spiritual realm of heaven, v.2; They praise Him by keeping on shining, Genesis 1:16; Psalms 65:13; Isaiah 44:23.

Verse 4 calls on the heavens (lower heavens) or the heavens, and waters that be or exist above the heavens to praise Him, from the three levels of heaven, the angelic, the stars, and the cloud levels, v.2-4; 2 Corinthians 12:2; See also 1 Kings 8:27; Deuteronomy 10:14; Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1:7.

Verse 5 adds, "Let them praise the name (or honor) of the Lord," (all six of them as named, v.2-4) "For he commanded and they were created," Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 1:1. The created owes allegiance to the Creator.

Verse 6 recertifies that he not .only created but also firmly established all these creatures of the heavens for service and honor to Him in His universe, for ever and ever, by a decree that is irrevocable, Jeremiah 33:25; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalms 33:11.

Verses 7-9 call for all earth to praise the Lord, addressing specifically dragons, and all creatures of the deeps, sea, river and lake monsters, Isaiah 43:20; Psalms 74:13; Fire, hail, snow, vapor, and stormy winds are also called, 2 Samuel 23:20; Proverbs 26:1; Proverbs 20:4; All mountains, hills, fruit bearing trees and cedars are to praise Him, Isaiah 44:23; 1 Kings 4:33; Genesis 1:25; Revelation 5:11-14.

Verse 10 calls on all animal life to praise Him, as creator and sustainer of all fife in the universe, Genesis 1:25; beasts, cattle, creeping and flying things, Genesis 1:20; Genesis 1:26; Revelation 5:13; Psalms 150:6.

Verses 11-13 enumerate people, all kinds, ages of people who are to offer praises of "Hallelujah joy" to the Lord, as kings, princes, judges, and all people of the earth, Psalms 102:15; Psalms 22:27; Young men, maidens, old men and children, are bidden as evidence of His goodness, to offer praise, Acts 17:28; Psalms 119:9; Psalms 34:11; Proverbs 10:1; For His name alone is exalted in glory, above all that exists in both heaven and earth, Nehemiah 9:5; Exodus 24:17; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 12:4; Philippians 2:9; Philippians 3:8; Zechariah 9:17.

Verse 14 concludes that He also exalteth (continually) the horn or praise of his people, the saints of Israel (his true worship keepers in particular). They are described as, "a people near unto him," a people who conscientiously keep the order of His law and worship, as He prescribed it, without compromise with the world; Even as the Lord expects His church to do today, 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 10:24-25; Revelation 19:8. Let it be. noted that "The saints" of the New Testament are restrictedly the redeemed who are In new covenant work and worship in the New Testament Church, as "the saints" of Israel were restrictedly those who administered His Old Testament Covenant, Judges 1:3; Psalms 92:10; Psalms 75:10; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; John 15:16; John 15:27; John 20:21.