Context No. 3653 of 4322 · Psalms

Psalms 148:1-14: in context

1Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him in the heights! 2Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army! 3Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! 4Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens. 5Let them praise the LORD’s name, for he commanded, and they were created. 6He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away. 7Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths, 8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind, fulfilling his word, 9mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10wild animals and all livestock, small creatures and flying birds, 11kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, 12both young men and maidens, old men and children. 13Let them praise the LORD’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens. 14He 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 the LORD!

This psalm is a great symphony of praise, summoning all creation to worship its Maker. It begins in the heights, angels, sun, moon, stars, and moves down to the earth, sea creatures, weather, mountains, trees, animals, and finally to human beings of every kind, kings and peoples, young and old.

Everything that God made is called to praise him, for he commanded and they were created. There is a beautiful vision here: the whole universe is meant to be a chorus of praise, each part of creation glorifying God simply by being what he made it to be. The stars praise him by shining, the storms by fulfilling his word, the mountains by standing firm. And human beings are called to join this cosmic worship, adding our voices, consciously and joyfully, to the praise that all creation already offers. We are part of a universe made to glorify God; to praise him is not to do something strange but to take our rightful place in the great chorus.

Do I take my place in the great chorus of creation, consciously and joyfully adding my voice to the praise that all God's works are meant to offer him?

Sources

Psalm 148:5: "Let them praise the LORD's name, for he commanded, and they were created."
Psalm 148:3: "Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!"
Psalm 148:13: "Let them praise the LORD's name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens."