Ears to Hear Psalm 148
Psalm 148
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the sky!
Praise him in the heavens!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his heavenly assembly!
3 Praise him, O sun and moon!
Praise him, all you shiny stars!
4 Praise him, O highest heaven,
and you waters above the sky!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he gave the command and they came into existence.
6 He established them so they would endure;
he issued a decree that will not be revoked.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you sea creatures and all you ocean depths,
8 O fire and hail, snow and clouds,
O stormy wind that carries out his orders,
9 you mountains and all you hills,
you fruit trees and all you cedars,
10 you animals and all you cattle,
you creeping things and birds,
11 you kings of the earth and all you nations,
you princes and all you leaders on the earth,
12 you young men and young women,
you elderly, along with you children!
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty extends over the earth and sky.
14 He has made his people victorious,
and given all his loyal followers reason to praise
the Israelites, the people who are close to him.
Praise the LORD!
Response by Miriam Mohler
Student Ministries Admin Assistant
The book of Psalms really is a primer of praise. As we draw near to the end of the hymnal, the psalmist rallies the help of the entire spectrum of creation to join him! He starts with the call for praise from everything seen and unseen overhead, followed by the natural world around him. And finally, humanity, the only part of creation that has a choice, is summoned to join in the praise.
When Jesus was on earth, the winds obeyed him and the waves supported his feet. We are told that the rocks would have cried out if he had let them. The demons feared and reverenced him. But for some reason humanity struggles to own him; His own “received” him not (John 1:11).
One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. (Phil. 2:10) In this psalm, the climax of those praising God is the faithful of Israel, who have a unique role because they know God’s name. They are “close to Him” and can tell His story. They join the praise already given forth by the rest of creation. I don’t know about you but I want to be in the crowd that chooses to declare God’s glory. This matches the crescendo of the gospel as those who were far off brought near by the blood of Jesus. Tune my heart to sing that grace!
I am reminded of the words from the Song – Come Now is the Time to Worship
One day every tongue will confess You are God
One day every knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose You now.
So given such freedom, won’t you choose with me to praise the Lord?