Psalm 148:12

Psalm 148:12, in plain English

Young and old, male and female—every age and every person—are called to praise God together as one human family.

Why it's here

This is inclusive in a way that ancient culture sometimes wasn't. By naming 'young men and maidens, old and young together,' the psalmist insists that praise belongs to everyone. Your age or life stage doesn't disqualify you from or excuse you from worship. Everyone has a voice in creation's chorus.

Who's speaking

The psalmist, now addressing humanity specifically and personally.

Where it sits in the story

This echoes through the New Testament as well—Peter writes to 'young men' and 'fathers,' and Paul speaks of children and elders all having roles in the church. Praise is for all of God's people.

The scholarly reading

All human ages and genders — young men and women, old and young indiscriminately — are called to praise, establishing universal human participation across every social category.

Language and setting

The explicit inclusion of both genders and all life stages reflects the comprehensive nature of the call. In Hebrew, the parallel structure ('young men and maidens, old and young together') creates a poetic inclusivity that transcends the patriarchal structures of the society, suggesting that praise is the one arena where all human beings stand equal before God.

Voice

The psalmist, now bringing the summons from the political sphere into the personal and communal realm of ordinary believers.

Significance

This universalizes the call to praise across barriers of age, gender, and status, anticipating the Pauline principle that in Christ there is neither male nor female, old nor young.

10wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds,

11kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth,

12young men and maidens, old and young together.

13Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!

Read all of Psalm 148 — Sun, moon, stars, sea creatures, fire, hail, snow, mountains, trees, kings, young and old — everything that exists is summoned to praise.