name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . earth and heaven: i.e. combining the two subjects of Psalms 148:1 and Psalms 148:7 . This order of these two words occurs only here and Genesis 2:4 . Compare note on Deuteronomy 4:26 . read more
13. Let them—all mentioned. excellent—or, exalted (Isaiah 12:4). his glory—majesty (Isaiah 12:4- :). above the earth and heaven—Their united splendors fail to match His. read more
Psalms 148Another anonymous psalm stresses the importance of praising God. This one calls on the heavens to praise Him for establishing them, and the earth to bless Him for exalting Israel. Each major section of the psalm begins with a call to worship ("Praise the LORD"), and the whole poem ends with the same call, forming an inclusio. "Praise" appears 13 times in the 14 verses of this psalm. read more
2. Praise for exalting Israel 148:7-14 read more
These earthly entities should praise Yahweh because He is greater than anything in heaven and on earth. Only His name is worthy of exaltation. In particular, God had raised up a king (strong one, horn) for His chosen people Israel. This person had become the praise of all His saints in Israel, the nation close to His heart."Thus far the psalmist has not said anything about the people of God. He has made reference to the ’angels’ of God (Psalms 148:2) in heaven but has left out any reference to... read more
This is the ’Gloria in Excelsis’ of the Psalter, wherein all created things, animate and inanimate, are called upon to praise Jehovah.1. From the heavens] i.e. angels and the heavenly bodies. 4. Waters that be above the heavens] So God divided the waters: see Genesis 1:6, Genesis 1:7. 6. Which shall not pass] RM’which none shall transgress.’8. Vapours] smoke or steam: cp. Psalms 119:83. 13. Excellent] RV ’exalted.’14. RM ’a horn for his people, a praise for all his saints,’ i.e. the giving... read more
(13) Excellent.—Rather, exalted. As in Isaiah 12:4. So LXX. and Vulg.Above the earth and heaven.—There is a fine artistic touch in the order of the words in this. All heaven and earth have been summoned to the chorus of praise, of Him who is now declared to be above earth and heaven. read more
Psalms 148:0 St. Bernard of Clairvaux thus describes the death of his brother Gerard: 'Who could ever have loved me as he did? He was a brother by blood, but far more in the faith. God grant, Gerard, that I may not have lost thee, but that thou hast only gone before me; for, of a surety, thou hast joined those whom, in thy last night below, thou didst invite to praise God, when suddenly, to the surprise of all, thou, with a serene countenance and cheerful voice, didst commence chanting that... read more
Psalms 148:1-14THE mercy granted to Israel (Psalms 148:14) is, in the psalmist’s estimation, worthy to call forth strains of praise from all creatures. It is the same conception as is found in several of the psalms of the King (Psalms 93:1-5; Psalms 94:1-23; Psalms 95:1-11; Psalms 96:1-13; Psalms 97:1-12; Psalms 98:1-9; Psalms 99:1-9; Psalms 100:1-5), but is here expressed with unparalleled magnificence and fervour. The same idea attains the climax of its representation in the mighty anthem... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:1-14
Psalms 147-150 Praise the LordGod’s people should praise him constantly for his merciful and loving care: his care over them in particular (147:1-2), his care over those who sorrow (3), his care over all his creation (4), and his special care for the downtrodden (5-6). God delights to provide for the physical needs of his creatures (7-9). But of all his creatures, those he delights in most are those who humbly trust in his steadfast love (10-11). That is why he delights in Israel above other... read more