Psalm 148
- Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
- Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
- Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
- Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
- Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
- He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
- Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
- Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
- Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
- Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
- Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
- Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
- Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
- He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
Celebrating the Majesty of God’s Creation
Psalm 148 is a majestic hymn of praise, summoning all of creation to exalt the name of the Lord. In its fourteen verses, we are invited into a symphony of worship where every element of the universe joins in glorifying the Creator. Each stanza resounds with a call to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and marvel at His wondrous works.
The psalm opens with an exhortation to praise the Lord from the heavens and in the heights. This lofty invocation sets the stage for a celestial chorus, as angels and heavenly hosts join together in exalting the name of their Creator.
Verse two extends the call to praise to all angelic beings, emphasizing their role as celestial messengers and servants of God. Here, we witness the celestial realm offering homage to its divine Sovereign, acknowledging His supremacy over all creation.
The subsequent verses expand the scope of praise to include the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—as well as the expanses of the heavens and the waters above them. This panoramic view of creation underscores the magnitude of God’s handiwork and the harmonious order of the cosmos.
In verse five, we are reminded of the divine command that brought forth creation, and the immutable decree that sustains it for all eternity. Here, we glimpse the awe-inspiring power of God’s word, which spoke the universe into existence and continues to uphold it by His sovereign will.
The psalmist then shifts the focus of praise from the celestial to the terrestrial realm, summoning all earthly creatures and phenomena to join in the chorus of worship. From the depths of the sea to the heights of the mountains, from the mightiest beasts to the tiniest insects, all are called to acknowledge the greatness of their Creator.
Verse thirteen encapsulates the essence of the psalm, proclaiming the excellence of the Lord’s name and the surpassing glory of His presence. Here, we find the ultimate reason for praise—to exalt the name of the Lord, whose majesty transcends the heavens and the earth.
In conclusion, Psalm 148 invites us to join with all of creation in celebrating the majesty and glory of God. It is a call to recognize His handiwork in the beauty and diversity of the natural world, and to respond with hearts full of gratitude and adoration. Let us, therefore, lift our voices with the celestial hosts and the creatures of the earth, declaring the greatness of our God and King. Praise ye the Lord!