Psalms148
New American Standard
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His heavenly armies!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 They are to praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree, and it will not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters, and all the ocean depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Animals and all cattle; Crawling things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Rulers and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children.
13 They are to praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones, For the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord!
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Psalms 148Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 148. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The creatures placed in the upper world called on to praise the Lord. (1–6). Also the creatures of this lower world, especially his own people. (7–14).
vv1-6
We, in this dark and sinful world, know little of the heavenly world of light. But we know that there is above us a world of blessed angels. They are always praising God, therefore the psalmist shows his desire that God may be praised in the best manner; also we show that we have communion with spirits above, who are still praising him. The heavens, with all contained in them, declare the glory of God. They call on us, that both by word and deed, we glorify with them the Creator and Redeemer of the universe.
vv7-14
Even in this world, dark and bad as it is, God is praised. The powers of nature, be they ever so strong, so stormy, do what God appoints them, and no more. Those that rebel against God's word, show themselves to be more violent than even the stormy winds, yet they fulfil it. View the surface of the earth, mountains and all hills; from the barren tops of some, and the fruitful tops of others, we may fetch matter for praise. And assuredly creatures which have the powers of reason, ought to employ themselves in praising God. Let all manner of persons praise God. Those of every rank, high and low. Let us show that we are his saints by praising his name continually. He is not only our Creator, but our Redeemer; who made us a people near unto him. We may by “the Horn of his people” understand Christ, whom God has exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, who is indeed the defence and the praise of all his saints, and will be so for ever. In redemption, that unspeakable glory is displayed, which forms the source of all our hopes and joys. May the Lord pardon us, and teach our hearts to love him more and praise him better.
Key Words
הָלַל: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
מָרוֹם: altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מֲלְאָךְ: a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)
שֶׁמֶשׁ: the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
יָרֵחַ: the moon
אוֹר: illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 148Poole identifies the 'heavens of heavens' as the highest heavenly places hosting God's throne.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Refers to the primeval division of creation, specifically the waters suspended above the expanse or firmament.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Addresses God's mighty angels as His hosts who run to perform His commandments.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallel designation of angels and heavenly bodies as the 'hosts' or ministers of God.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Directly parallel descriptions of meteorological forces—snow, frost, wind—acting to fulfill His word.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the sea-monsters or leviathan residing in the deeps as creatures appointed to praise Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Calvin highlights the heavenly temple cry where angelic hosts declare His glory fills earth and heaven.
Supported by John Calvin
Echoes the exact declaration that the Lord's name alone is exalted and excellent.
Supported by JFB
New Testament parallel to Israel as a 'people near unto him', now extended through Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Classical parallel for 'exalting the horn' signifying salvation, strength, and victory.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole