Psalm 148 is the praise Psalm. In the fourteen verses of Psalm 148, the word “praise” is mentioned at least thirteen times. That is almost one time for every verse. This happy Psalm talks about all creation joining in praise to the Lord. Let us see all the people and things that God says are to bring praise to Him.
The Beings and Things in the Heavens
1. The heavenly beings and the Lord’s host are to praise Him, “1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2) Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.” (Psalm 148:1,2)
2. The lights God hung in the sky are to praise Him. “Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.” (verse 3)
3. The heavens (sky and space) and the waters that be above the heavens are to praise Him. “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.” (verse 4)
Why should these heavenly beings and the things in the heavens praise the Lord? “5) Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6) He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” (verses 5,6) They should all praise the Lord because they were created at His command and they are sustained by His word.
People, Animals, and Things on the Earth
1. The dragons and all the things in the deeps (sea) are to praise Him, “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps.” (verse 7)
2. The forces of nature are to praise Him, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word.” (verse 8)
3. The mountains and hills and trees are to praise Him, “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars.” (verse 9)
4. Animals, birds and creeping things are to praise Him, “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl.” (verse 10)
5. Kings and all rulers of the earth are to praise Him, “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth.” (verse 11)
6. All people are to praise Him, “12) Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13) Let them praise the name of the LORD.” (verses 12, 13a)
Why should everything on earth and all the kings and rulers of the earth and all the people of the earth praise God, “…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.” (verses 13b, 14)