Psalm 148
Psalm 148, Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD
Scripture Text
Psalm 148:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”
Psalm 148:2, “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.”
Psalm 148:3, “Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.”
Psalm 148:4, “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.”
Psalm 148:5, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.”
Psalm 148:6, “He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.”
Psalm 148:7, “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”
Psalm 148:8, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:”
Psalm 148:9, “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:”
Psalm 148:10, “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:”
Psalm 148:11, “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:”
Psalm 148:12, “Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:”
Psalm 148:13, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Psalm 148:14, “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.”
Introduction
Psalm 148 is another of the final Hallelujah psalms. It begins and ends with “Praise ye the LORD.” It is a universal summons to worship. The psalmist calls heaven and earth, angels and stars, sea creatures and storm winds, mountains and trees, beasts and birds, kings and common people, young and old, to praise the LORD.
This psalm is remarkable because it does not focus on sin, enemies, sorrow, confession, or danger. It is creation summoned to its proper purpose. Everything God made is called to praise the God who made it. The whole created order is portrayed as a vast choir, with heaven and earth joining in one great Hallelujah.
The psalm begins above and moves downward. It starts in the heavens, then calls angels, heavenly hosts, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens to praise the LORD. Then it turns to the earth, calling sea creatures, depths, weather, mountains, trees, animals, rulers, peoples, young men, maidens, old men, and children to join the praise.
This movement reflects the order of creation itself. God made the heavens and the earth, and all creation owes Him praise. Creation does not exist for itself. It exists for the glory of God. Man’s sin brought vanity, corruption, and groaning into creation, but Scripture looks forward to the day when creation itself will be delivered and all things will resound with praise.
Romans 8:20, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,”
Romans 8:21, “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from bondage of corruption into glorious liberty of children of God.”
Psalm 148 anticipates that great restoration. The praise called for here will finally be fulfilled when all creation joins in worship before God and the Lamb.
Revelation 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under earth, and such as are in sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon throne, and unto Lamb for ever and ever.”
The universal chorus of Psalm 148 will one day be fully heard.
A. Praise from the Heavens
1. Psalm 148:1 through Psalm 148:4, Calling upon Heavenly Things to Praise the LORD
Psalm 148:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”
The psalm begins with the command, “Praise ye the LORD.” This is Hallelujah, a call to worship Yahweh. It is not merely a statement of personal praise. It is an exhortation, a command, and a summons to all creation.
The psalmist then directs the call upward, “Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” The heavens belong to God. The heights above, the visible sky, the celestial heavens, and the realm of heavenly beings are all summoned to praise Him.
The God of Israel is not a local tribal deity. He is Lord over heaven and earth. Therefore His praise must come from the heights, not only from Jerusalem, Israel, or the earth below.
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
The heavens already declare God’s glory by their existence, order, beauty, and magnitude. Psalm 148 calls them to continue that declaration as praise.
Psalm 148:2, “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.”
The first specific heavenly beings called to praise are the angels. “Praise ye him, all his angels.” Angels are created spiritual beings who serve God, worship Him, carry out His commands, and minister according to His will.
Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto voice of his word.”
Psalm 103:21, “Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.”
Psalm 148 repeats this call. Angels are strong, glorious, and holy servants, but they are not to be worshiped. They themselves are commanded to worship God.
This corrects a common spiritual error. Men are often tempted to worship created powers, including angels. Scripture forbids this.
Colossians 2:18, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”
Angels are fellow servants of God, not objects of worship.
Revelation 22:8, “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before feet of angel which shewed me these things.”
Revelation 22:9, “Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren prophets, and of them which keep sayings of this book: worship God.”
The angel tells John, “worship God.” Psalm 148 teaches the same. Angels praise the LORD. They do not replace Him.
The phrase “all his hosts” likely refers to the great heavenly armies of God, including angelic beings. The LORD is the commander of heaven’s hosts. All His hosts owe Him praise.
Psalm 148:3, “Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.”
The psalmist now summons the heavenly bodies. The sun, moon, and stars are called to praise the LORD. This is significant because many ancient peoples worshiped these heavenly bodies as gods or treated them as powers controlling destiny. Psalm 148 puts them in their proper place. They are not gods. They are creatures. They do not rule independently. They praise their Maker.
Genesis 1:16, “And God made two great lights; greater light to rule day, and lesser light to rule night: he made stars also.”
God made the sun, moon, and stars. They rule only in the limited function He assigned to them. Their light, order, beauty, and faithful movement display His wisdom and glory.
Deuteronomy 4:19, “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest sun, and moon, and stars, even all host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under whole heaven.”
Israel was forbidden to worship the heavenly bodies. Psalm 148 goes further, calling those heavenly bodies to praise the LORD.
The stars are called “stars of light.” They shine because God made them to shine. Their radiance is a created witness to the glory of the Creator.
Psalm 148:4, “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.”
The call rises still higher, “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens.” This phrase refers to the highest heavens, the most exalted realms above man’s reach and sight. No height is too high to owe praise to God.
Deuteronomy 10:14, “Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”
Even the heaven of heavens belongs to the LORD. Nothing is above Him.
The psalm also calls “ye waters that be above the heavens” to praise. This likely refers to the waters associated with the heavens, including clouds and rain. In the biblical worldview, the waters above are under God’s command. The clouds and rain serve Him.
Genesis 1:6, “And God said, Let there be firmament in midst of waters, and let it divide waters from waters.”
Genesis 1:7, “And God made firmament, and divided waters which were under firmament from waters which were above firmament: and it was so.”
The waters above the heavens exist because God ordered creation. They too must praise Him.
2. Psalm 148:5 and Psalm 148:6, Reasons Why the Heavens Should Praise the LORD
Psalm 148:5, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.”
The reason for heavenly praise is simple and absolute, “for he commanded, and they were created.” God created by command. He did not struggle. He did not borrow materials from another god. He did not wrestle order out of chaos through weakness. He spoke, and creation came to be.
Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by breath of his mouth.”
Psalm 33:9, “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
The heavens must praise Him because they exist by His command. Angels, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens all owe their being to God.
Creation logically demands worship. If God made all things, all things owe Him praise. The doctrine of creation is not merely a statement about origins. It is a foundation for worship, obedience, and reverence.
Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for pleasure they are and were created.”
God is worthy because He created all things. Psalm 148 says the same in song.
Psalm 148:6, “He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.”
God not only created the heavenly order, He established it. The heavens continue because God sustains them. Their patterns, ordinances, courses, and limits are upheld by His decree.
Jeremiah 31:35, “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth sun for light by day, and ordinances of moon and of stars for light by night, which divideth sea when waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:”
The sun, moon, and stars function according to God’s ordinances. They are not self sustaining.
The psalm says, “he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” God’s decree governs creation. What He establishes remains until He fulfills His purpose. Creation is stable because God is faithful.
Hebrews 1:3, “Who being brightness of his glory, and express image of his person, and upholding all things by word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on right hand of Majesty on high;”
Christ upholds all things by the word of His power. The stability of the heavens rests in the sustaining word of God.
B. Praise from the Earth
1. Psalm 148:7 through Psalm 148:12, Calling upon Earthly Things to Praise the LORD
Psalm 148:7, “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”
The psalm now turns from heaven to earth. “Praise the LORD from the earth.” Earth must not be silent while heaven praises. The lower creation must join the upper creation.
The first earthly creatures named are “ye dragons, and all deeps.” The word translated dragons can refer to great sea creatures, sea monsters, or mighty creatures of the deep. The depths of the sea, mysterious and unreachable to man, are still under God’s authority.
Genesis 1:21, “And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”
The great creatures of the sea are not divine powers. They are creations of God. The deeps themselves belong to Him.
Psalm 95:5, “The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed dry land.”
The sea praises the LORD because the sea is His.
Psalm 148:8, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:”
The psalmist now calls weather and natural forces to praise the LORD. Fire, hail, snow, vapor, and stormy wind are all under God’s command.
The phrase “stormy wind fulfilling his word” is especially clear. Even wind fulfills God’s word. Storms are not independent. Weather belongs to God’s providential rule.
Psalm 147:15, “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.”
Psalm 147:16, “He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.”
Psalm 147:17, “He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”
Psalm 147:18, “He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and waters flow.”
Psalm 147 and Psalm 148 stand together. Snow, frost, ice, wind, and waters all respond to God’s word.
This also reminds us that creation is not chaotic in the ultimate sense. Even when nature appears fierce, God rules it.
Mark 4:39, “And he arose, and rebuked wind, and said unto sea, Peace, be still. And wind ceased, and there was great calm.”
Jesus commanded wind and sea, and they obeyed. This displays His divine authority over creation.
Psalm 148:9, “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:”
The call now moves to the land. Mountains and hills are summoned to praise. These great fixed features of creation bear silent witness to the majesty of God. Their height, strength, beauty, and endurance point beyond themselves to their Maker.
Fruitful trees and cedars also praise Him. Fruitful trees show provision, abundance, and life. Cedars show strength, height, and majesty. Both the useful fruit tree and the stately cedar belong in the choir of creation.
Isaiah 55:12, “For ye shall go out with joy, and led forth with peace: mountains and hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all trees of field shall clap their hands.”
Isaiah uses similar language. Mountains, hills, and trees are pictured as joining in praise when God brings redemption and restoration.
Psalm 148:10, “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:”
Animals are also called to praise. Beasts of the wild, cattle of the field, creeping things, and birds all belong to God. They praise Him by existing according to His design, filling the roles He gave them, and displaying His wisdom.
Psalm 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: earth is full of thy riches.”
The variety of animals, from great beasts to creeping things, reveals the manifold wisdom of God. No creature is beneath His notice. The worm that crawls and the bird that flies both testify to their Maker.
Matthew 6:26, “Behold fowls of air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
God feeds the birds. Their life is a witness to His providence.
Psalm 148:11, “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:”
Now the psalmist summons mankind, beginning with rulers. “Kings of the earth” must praise the LORD. Earthly rulers are not exempt from worship. Their authority is derived, temporary, and accountable to God.
Princes and judges must also praise. Those who exercise authority, interpret law, govern people, and make judgments must acknowledge the LORD above them.
Psalm 2:10, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of earth.”
Psalm 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Psalm 2:12, “Kiss Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from way, when his wrath is kindled but little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
The rulers of the earth are commanded to serve the LORD and submit to the Son. Psalm 148 calls them to praise.
The verse also includes “all people.” No class, tribe, nation, race, language, or social group is excluded. All peoples owe praise to the Creator.
Psalm 148:12, “Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:”
The call extends to every age and both sexes. Young men and maidens, old men and children, all are called to praise the LORD. Worship is not for one age group only. It belongs to the whole human family.
Young men bring strength. Maidens bring beauty and clarity of voice. Old men bring wisdom and memory. Children bring simplicity and freshness. All belong in the praise of God.
Psalm 8:2, “Out of mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still enemy and avenger.”
God even ordains praise from the mouths of babes and sucklings. No one is too young or too old to praise the LORD.
This verse also emphasizes that worship should be intergenerational. The gathered people of God should not become divided into isolated groups that never worship together. The old and young alike are summoned into the praise of God.
2. Psalm 148:13 and Psalm 148:14, Reasons Why the Earth Should Praise the LORD
Psalm 148:13, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
The reason for universal praise is that the LORD’s name alone is excellent. His name represents His revealed character, authority, glory, holiness, faithfulness, and saving power. No other name deserves the worship due to Him.
The word “alone” is important. God does not share His divine excellence with idols, angels, rulers, nature, or man. He alone is excellent in the absolute sense.
Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
The LORD does not give His glory to another. Psalm 148 commands creation to give praise to Him alone.
The verse continues, “his glory is above the earth and heaven.” God’s glory exceeds creation. The heavens declare His glory, but they do not contain all His glory. The earth displays His work, but His glory is above the earth. Heaven itself is not greater than God.
1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on earth? behold, heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”
Even the heaven of heavens cannot contain God. His glory is above earth and heaven.
Psalm 148:14, “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.”
The psalm ends with God’s special grace toward His people. The LORD is Creator of all, praised by all, and glorious above all, yet He has particular covenant love for His people.
“He also exalteth the horn of his people.” The horn represents strength, dignity, victory, and power. God raises the strength of His people. He establishes them, defends them, and gives them honor.
1 Samuel 2:10, “The adversaries of LORD shall broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: LORD shall judge ends of earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt horn of his anointed.”
God exalts the horn of His anointed. Psalm 148 applies this blessing to His people.
The verse continues, “the praise of all his saints.” The saints are God’s holy ones, His covenant people, those set apart to Him. Their praise is fitting because they have experienced His nearness, salvation, mercy, and faithfulness.
Then the psalm identifies them, “even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.” This is Israel’s covenant privilege. Among all nations, God brought Israel near to Himself. He gave them His word, covenants, priesthood, promises, worship, and presence.
Deuteronomy 4:7, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?”
Israel was a people near to God. This was not because Israel was greater, stronger, or more righteous than other nations. It was because of God’s electing love and covenant mercy.
Deuteronomy 7:7, “The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were fewest of all people:”
Deuteronomy 7:8, “But because LORD loved you, and because he would keep oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath LORD brought you out with mighty hand, and redeemed you out of house of bondmen, from hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
God brought Israel near by grace.
For the Christian, nearness to God comes through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by blood of Christ.”
Those once far off are made near by the blood of Christ. Therefore, the praise of Psalm 148 finds its fullest expression in redeemed people worshiping through Christ.
The psalm ends as it began, “Praise ye the LORD.” Heaven must praise. Earth must praise. Angels must praise. Stars must praise. Mountains, beasts, rulers, children, and saints must praise. The LORD alone is excellent. His glory is above earth and heaven. He has brought His people near. Therefore, Hallelujah.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 148 teaches that all creation owes praise to the LORD. Heaven and earth, visible and invisible beings, rulers and common people, old and young, all are summoned to praise Him.
The psalm teaches that the LORD is Creator. The heavens praise Him because He commanded, and they were created. Creation exists by divine command and therefore owes worship to God.
Psalm 148 teaches that God is Preserver as well as Creator. He established the heavens forever and made a decree that shall not pass. Creation continues because God sustains it.
The psalm teaches that angels are worshipers, not objects of worship. All angels and heavenly hosts must praise the LORD. They are servants of God, not rivals to God.
Psalm 148 teaches that the sun, moon, and stars are created servants, not gods or forces of destiny. They praise the LORD by shining and moving according to His command.
The psalm teaches that weather fulfills God’s word. Fire, hail, snow, vapor, and stormy wind are not outside His rule.
Psalm 148 teaches that earthly creation praises God, including sea creatures, deeps, mountains, hills, trees, beasts, cattle, creeping things, and birds. Creation displays His wisdom, power, and glory.
The psalm teaches that all mankind owes praise to God. Kings, peoples, princes, judges, young men, maidens, old men, and children are all called to worship Him.
The psalm teaches that the LORD alone is excellent. His glory is above earth and heaven, and no created thing deserves the worship due to Him.
Finally, Psalm 148 teaches that the LORD has special covenant love for His people. He exalts their horn and has brought Israel near to Himself. In Christ, those who were far off are made near by His blood, and therefore the redeemed have every reason to praise the LORD.
