Single lesson
Psalm 148: Praise the LORD from the Heavens
Psalms 148:1–14
Psalm 148 is a praise poem that calls everything, from the highest heavens to people on earth, to praise Yahweh. In this lesson, children trace the poem’s movement, images, and voice as it calls others to praise.
Before you teach
This psalm speaks in a poetic voice that calls others to praise Yahweh. It begins with the heavens, then turns to the earth, and finally names people of every kind. The psalm gives reasons for praise including that he commanded and they were created, he established them, and his name alone is exalted.
Students will be able to identify the psalm’s poetic voice calling others to praise, trace its movement from heaven to earth to people, and explain two reasons the psalm gives for praising Yahweh.
Welcome: Hear the poem’s voice
5 minRead Psalm 148 aloud with energy. Ask children to listen for repeated words and to notice who is speaking in the poem. Point out that the psalm itself is a poetic voice calling others to praise Yahweh, and that it begins and ends with “Praise Yah”.
Psalms 148:1, Psalms 148:14
Read and explain: Praise from the heavens
7 minRead verses 1 to 6. Help children list the heavenly images: heavens, heights, angels, army, sun, moon, stars, and waters above the heavens. Explain that the psalm says these should praise Yahweh because he commanded and they were created, and because he established them.
Psalms 148:1, Psalms 148:2, Psalms 148:3, Psalms 148:4, Psalms 148:5, Psalms 148:6
Discuss: Praise from the earth
7 minRead verses 7 to 12 and make two columns: parts of nature and kinds of people. Add sea creatures, depths, weather, mountains, trees, animals, birds, kings, peoples, judges, young men, maidens, old men, and children. Show how the poem moves to include the whole earth.
Psalms 148:7, Psalms 148:8, Psalms 148:9, Psalms 148:10, Psalms 148:11, Psalms 148:12
Make and respond: Illustrated praise card
7 minChildren make a folded card with one side showing heaven images and the other side showing earth and people. Inside, they write a short praise line using words from the psalm, such as “Praise Yahweh” or “His name alone is exalted”. Invite volunteers to share which images they chose.
Psalms 148:3, Psalms 148:8, Psalms 148:11, Psalms 148:13
Closing: The final praise
4 minFinish by reading verses 13 and 14. Summarise the psalm’s reasons for praise: Yahweh’s name alone is exalted, his glory is above the earth and the heavens, and he has lifted up the horn of his people. End by hearing the final words together: “Praise Yah!”
Psalms 148:13, Psalms 148:14
Questions to explore
Who is speaking in this psalm, and what is that voice asking others to do?
Notice that the poem itself keeps calling different parts of creation and different groups of people to “Praise Yahweh”.
Psalms 148:1, Psalms 148:7, Psalms 148:13, Psalms 148:14
Which groups are called to praise first, and which groups are named later in the psalm?
Look at how the poem starts with the heavens and heavenly bodies, then turns to creatures, weather, land, animals, rulers, and finally ordinary people including children.
Psalms 148:1, Psalms 148:3, Psalms 148:7, Psalms 148:11, Psalms 148:12
What reasons does the psalm give for praising Yahweh?
Verses 5 and 6 say he commanded and they were created, and that he established them, while verses 13 and 14 say his name alone is exalted, his glory is above earth and heavens, and he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Psalms 148:5, Psalms 148:6, Psalms 148:13, Psalms 148:14
Make, think or respond
Heaven and Earth Praise Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- coloured pencils or markers
- pencil
- Bible
Try it together
- Fold a sheet of paper in half to make a card.
- On the front, draw one or two images from the heavens in the psalm, such as stars, sun, or moon.
- On the back, draw one or two earth images or people from the psalm, such as mountains, birds, kings, or children.
- Inside the card, write a short praise sentence using words from Psalm 148.
- Share the card with the group and explain which verse inspired the pictures.
This activity helps children see the poem’s movement from heaven to earth and use its own words of praise.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, give two choices for each picture section, such as stars or sun, mountain or bird, and let them copy a short line like “Praise Yahweh”.
- For older children, ask them to label each picture with the exact verse number that matches their chosen image and to explain one reason for praise from verses 5, 6, 13, or 14.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: “Yahweh, thank you for your greatness over heaven and earth. Help us notice your glory and join in praise with thankful hearts. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 148
1 Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens! Praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army!
3 Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens.
5 Let them praise Yahweh’s name, for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7 Praise Yahweh from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind, fulfilling his word,
9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock, small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth,
12 both young men and maidens, old men and children.
13 Let them praise Yahweh’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
14 He 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!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.