Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14He 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.
Understand This
Psalm 148, explained
What Psalm 148 is saying
Psalm 148 is a cosmic praise hymn that summons the entire created order—from the highest heavens to the deepest sea—to worship YHWH. The psalm moves systematically from celestial beings (angels, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens) to terrestrial creation (sea creatures, weather, mountains, trees, animals) and finally to humanity (kings, nations, old and young). All creation is summoned because God 'commanded and they were created.'
The background behind it
The psalm draws on the creation theology of Genesis 1 and the cosmic praise tradition seen in Daniel 3 (Song of the Three Young Men) and the apocryphal Prayer of Azariah. Its comprehensive scope reflects the post-exilic emphasis on monotheistic worship encompassing all creation.
Themes running underneath
The psalm's theology insists that praise is not merely a human activity but a cosmic vocation. Every element of creation fulfills its purpose by praising its Creator. The closing reference to God raising up a 'horn' for His people connects cosmic praise to covenant history, ensuring that universal worship and particular election coexist.
Why it still matters
This psalm expands the worshiper's imagination by insisting that praise is the fundamental purpose of all existence. It challenges anthropocentric worship and invites believers to join a chorus that is already in progress throughout creation.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.