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Praise the LORD from the Heavens
Psalm 148 is a praise song that calls the whole created order to honour Yahweh. It begins above, moves across the earth, includes every kind of person, and ends with praise from God’s people.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This psalm speaks as poetry, calling angels, heavenly lights, weather, animals, rulers and ordinary people to praise Yahweh. It gives reasons for praise within the song itself: he commanded creation, established it, his name alone is exalted, and his people are near to him.
Psalms 148:1–14Main takeaway
Psalm 148 calls everything from heaven and earth, including all people, to praise Yahweh for his creation, rule and exalted name.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Praise from aboveThe psalm opens with praise directed from the heavens and the heights. Angels and Yahweh’s army are named, then the sun, moon, stars, the heavens of heavens, and waters above the heavens.
Explanation
The psalm opens with praise directed from the heavens and the heights. Angels and Yahweh’s army are named, then the sun, moon, stars, the heavens of heavens, and waters above the heavens. The song begins with everything above the earth called to praise him.
02The reason in creationThe first reason for praise is clear: Yahweh commanded, and they were created. The psalm also says he established them forever and ever, and made a decree that will not pass away.
Explanation
The first reason for praise is clear: Yahweh commanded, and they were created. The psalm also says he established them forever and ever, and made a decree that will not pass away. Praise fits the one who creates and firmly orders what he made.
03Praise across the earthThe poem then turns to the earth: sea creatures, depths, lightning, hail, snow, clouds and stormy wind.
Explanation
The poem then turns to the earth: sea creatures, depths, lightning, hail, snow, clouds and stormy wind. It continues with mountains, trees, wild animals, livestock, small creatures and birds. The list shows praise reaching across weather, land and living creatures.
04People and the exalted nameRulers, peoples, young and old are all called to praise Yahweh. His name alone is exalted, and his glory is above earth and heavens.
Explanation
Rulers, peoples, young and old are all called to praise Yahweh. His name alone is exalted, and his glory is above earth and heavens. The psalm ends by naming Israel as a people near to him, then closing again with praise: 'Praise Yah!'
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the psalm move from the heavens to the earth?
Notice the order of the groups named, starting above and then turning to sea, weather, land, animals and people.
02What reasons for praise are stated directly in the psalm?
Look for the lines that begin with 'for' and read what they say about creation, God’s name and his glory.
03Who receives special mention at the end, and what is said about them?
Read the final verse carefully and notice the words 'his people', 'his saints', 'children of Israel' and 'near to him'.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 148:1–14
1Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens! Praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army!
3Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens.
5Let them praise Yahweh’s name, for he commanded, and they were created.
6He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7Praise Yahweh from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths,
8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind, fulfilling his word,
9mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10wild animals and all livestock, small creatures and flying birds,
11kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth,
12both young men and maidens, old men and children.
13Let them praise Yahweh’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
14He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Yah!