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Psalms 148

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Hallelujahהַ֥לְלוּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →! Praiseהַֽלְל֣וּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the heavensהַשָּׁמַ֑יִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →; praise Himהַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → in the highest placesבַּמְּרוֹמִֽים׃bam·mə·rō·w·mîm — Height, high place, or exaltationH4791 — Full Word Study →. 2Praise Himהַֽלְל֥וּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, allכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His angelsמַלְאָכָ֑יוmal·’ā·ḵāw — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study →; praise Himהַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His heavenly hostsצְבָאוֹ׃ṣə·ḇå̄·ʾō — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 3Praise Himהַֽ֭לְלוּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, O sunשֶׁ֣מֶשׁše·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → and moonוְיָרֵ֑חַwə·yā·rê·aḥ — The moon; lunar bodyH3394 — Full Word Study →; praise Himהַ֝לְל֗וּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you shiningאֽוֹר׃’ō·wr — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study → starsכּ֥וֹכְבֵיkō·wḵ·ḇê — Star; heavenly bodyH3556 — Full Word Study →. 4Praise Himהַֽ֭לְלוּהוּhal·lū·hū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, O highest heavensשְׁמֵ֣יšə·mê — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, and you watersוְ֝הַמַּ֗יִםwə·ham·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → aboveמֵעַ֬לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the skiesהַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃haš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →. 5Let them praiseיְֽ֭הַֽלְלוּyə·hal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֣םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Heה֭וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → gave the commandצִוָּ֣הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → and they were createdוְנִבְרָֽאוּ׃wə·niḇ·rā·’ū — to create; to makeH1254 — Full Word Study →. 6He established themוַיַּעֲמִידֵ֣םway·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏêm — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → foreverלָעַ֣דlā·‘aḏ — perpetuity, eternity, foreverH5703 — Full Word Study → and everלְעוֹלָ֑םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →; He issuedנָ֝תַ֗ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → a decreeחָק־ḥāq- — A statute or decree; an appointed rule or lawH2706 — Full Word Study → that will neverוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → pass awayיַעֲבֽוֹר׃ya·‘ă·ḇō·wr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study →. 7Praiseהַֽלְל֣וּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → great sea creaturesתַּ֝נִּינִ֗יםtan·nî·nîm — Sea monster, dragon, or serpentH8577 — Full Word Study → and ocean depthsתְּהֹמֽוֹת׃tə·hō·mō·wṯ — the deep, abyss, primordial watersH8415 — Full Word Study →, 8lightningאֵ֣שׁ’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → and hailוּ֭בָרָדū·ḇā·rāḏ — Hail; frozen precipitation as divine judgmentH1259 — Full Word Study →, snowשֶׁ֣לֶגše·leḡ — snow; whiteness; purityH7950 — Full Word Study → and cloudsוְקִיט֑וֹרwə·qî·ṭō·wr — smoke, vapor, or fumeH7008 — Full Word Study →, powerfulסְ֝עָרָ֗הsə·‘ā·rāh — A violent storm, tempest, or whirlwindH5591 — Full Word Study → windר֥וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → fulfillingעֹשָׂ֥ה‘ō·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → His wordדְבָרֽוֹ׃ḏə·ḇā·rōw — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →, 9mountainsהֶהָרִ֥יםhe·hā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → hillsגְּבָע֑וֹתgə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ — hill, elevated terrainH1389 — Full Word Study →, fruitפְּ֝רִ֗יpə·rî — Fruit; produce; offspring; rewardH6529 — Full Word Study → treesעֵ֥ץ‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → cedarsאֲרָזִֽים׃’ă·rā·zîm — cedar tree; cedar woodH730 — Full Word Study →, 10wild animalsהַֽחַיָּ֥הha·ḥay·yāh — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → cattleבְּהֵמָ֑הbə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →, crawling creaturesרֶ֝֗מֶשׂre·meś — creeping thing; creature that crawls or moves along the groundH7431 — Full Word Study → and flyingכָּנָֽף׃kā·nāp̄ — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study → birdsוְצִפּ֥וֹרwə·ṣip·pō·wr — Bird or fowlH6833 — Full Word Study →, 11kingsמַלְכֵי־mal·ḵê- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of the earthאֶ֭רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → peoplesלְאֻמִּ֑יםlə·’um·mîm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study →, princesשָׂ֝רִ֗יםśā·rîm — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → rulersשֹׁ֥פְטֵיšō·p̄ə·ṭê — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → of the earthאָֽרֶץ׃’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, 12young menבַּחוּרִ֥יםba·ḥū·rîm — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study → andוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → maidensבְּתוּל֑וֹתbə·ṯū·lō·wṯ — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study →, oldזְ֝קֵנִ֗יםzə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → andעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → young togetherנְעָרִֽים׃nə·‘ā·rîm — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →. 13Let them praiseיְהַלְל֤וּ׀yə·hal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֬םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → His nameשְׁמ֣וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → aloneלְבַדּ֑וֹlə·ḇad·dōw — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study → is exaltedנִשְׂגָּ֣בniś·gāḇ — to set on high, to be exalted, to defend or protectH7682 — Full Word Study →; His splendorה֝וֹד֗וֹhō·w·ḏōw — Splendor, majesty, honor, and gloryH1935 — Full Word Study → is above the earthאֶ֥רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → and the heavensוְשָׁמָֽיִם׃wə·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →. 14He has raised upוַיָּ֤רֶםway·yā·rem — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → a hornקֶ֨רֶן׀qe·ren — horn; power; strength; cornerH7161 — Full Word Study → for His peopleלְעַמּ֡וֹlə·‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, the praiseתְּהִלָּ֤הtə·hil·lāh — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study → of allלְֽכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His saintsחֲסִידָ֗יוḥă·sî·ḏāw — The pious one; one characterized by faithfulness and covenant loyaltyH2623 — Full Word Study →, of Israelלִבְנֵ֣יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, a peopleעַֽם־‘am- — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → near to Himקְרֹב֗וֹqə·rō·ḇōw — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study →. Hallelujahהַֽלְלוּ־hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 148
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Chapter Overview

Psalm 148 is a magnificent hymn of cosmic praise that invites all creation—from the highest heavens to the deepest earth—to join in worshiping the Lord. This psalm uniquely addresses not only people and angels but also the sun, moon, stars, mountains, animals, and weather phenomena, calling them to praise God. The fundamental theme is that all creation exists by God's command and should respond to His majesty. Rather than being poetic fancy, this reflects the biblical truth that all things were made by God and declare His glory. The psalm reaches its climax by reminding us that God has a special relationship with His people Israel, whom He has exalted among the nations.

Verses 1–5: The Heavenly Call to Praise

The psalm opens with a thunderous call: "Praise ye the LORD" (verse 1). This imperative is immediately universal in scope—the praise must come "from the heavens" and "in the heights." Verses 2–4 extend this call specifically to the angels and the hosts of heaven, then to the sun, moon, and stars. Even "the heavens of heavens, and the waters that be above the heavens" (verse 4) are called upon. In the ancient cosmology reflected here, these celestial waters were understood as part of the created structure of the sky.

Verse 5 gives us the reason for this praise: God commanded creation into existence. The Hebrew concept here emphasizes God's sovereign word—His dabar—which brought all things into being. Our application: Everything that exists owes its being to God's creative word. This should humble us and inspire worship.

Verses 6–8: The Stability and Order of Creation

Verse 6 shifts slightly to emphasize God's ongoing rule over creation. He has "established them for ever and ever" and made "a decree which shall not pass." This speaks to God's faithfulness—the laws of nature that govern the heavens are not accidents but divine decrees. We live in an ordered universe because God maintains it by His power and wisdom.

Verse 7 transitions to earthly creation, calling upon dragons (likely sea creatures), the deep places of the ocean, and all terrestrial elements to praise the Lord. Verses 8–9 continue this earthly summons to "fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind"—the very weather that can seem chaotic to us—along with mountains and all vegetation. The point is striking: even the forces of nature that can frighten or challenge us ultimately serve God's purposes and declare His praise.

Verses 9–14: From Creation to the Covenant People

Verses 9–10 broaden the call to include all living creatures: beasts, cattle, creeping things, and flying fowl. Then, remarkably, verses 11–12 shift to human rulers and people of all ages—kings, princes, judges, young men, maidens, old men, and children. Everyone, regardless of rank or age, is called to praise.

Verse 13 repeats the foundational reason: God's name is excellent and His glory transcends both heaven and earth. Finally, verse 14 reveals God's special covenant love: He has "exalted the horn of his people"—given strength and honor to Israel, His people "near unto him" (verse 14). This is not favoritism that contradicts universal praise; rather, it shows that within God's cosmic worship, He has made a specific covenant with a people through whom His salvation comes to all nations.

Application for Today

Psalm 148 calls us to see all creation as God's masterpiece and to join the universal chorus of praise. Whether through the majesty of nature, the order of the cosmos, or the specific covenant mercies God shows His church, everything points to His excellence. As believers, we are invited to be conscious participants in this cosmic song, offering our praise not as isolated individuals but as part of all creation worshiping our King. Let your worship today reflect the grandeur of this vision.

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