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Psalms Chapter 148

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 14 Verses

What is Psalms 148 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his host.
3Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light.
4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, And ye waters that are above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For he commanded, and they were created.
6He hath also established them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass away.
7Praise Jehovah from the earth, Ye sea-monsters, and all deeps.
8Fire and hail, snow and vapor; Stormy wind, fulfilling his word;
9Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying birds;
11Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
12Both young men and virgins; Old men and children:
13Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
14And he hath lifted up the horn of his people, The praise of all his saints; Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 149
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or, hallelujah: which, in some versions, and with some interpreters, is the title of the psalm; expressive of the subject matter of it, the praise of the Lord; and is an exhortation of all creatures to it; praise ye the Lord from the heavens; that is, those that are of the heavens; let their praises of the Lord, of his perfections, works, and benefits, resound from thence; the angels of heaven particularly, who have their habitation and residence there, and sometimes descend from thence on special business, by the order and appointment of their great Creator and Master: so the Targum,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 2
“hosts--(compare Psa 103:21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord - See the notes at Psalms 146:1. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens - On the part of the heavens. Let those who dwell in heaven begin the song. Praise him in the heights - All that are in the heights; to wit, in the highest parts of the universe, or the heavens. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 4
“Heavens of heavens - Ye highest heavens, the place of God's throne. Waters - Ye clouds which are above a part of the heavens. Psalms 148:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 148 This psalm calls for the whole created order to praise the Lord because he has honored his faithful people. 148:1 During Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the crowds called out various blessings, including a phrase taken from this verse (Matt 21:9; Mark 11:10; Luke 19:38).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord: Heb. Hallelujah, Psa 89:5, Psa 146:1; Isa 49:13; Luk 2:13, Luk 2:14; Rev 19:1-6 Psalms 148:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The call does not rise step by step from below upwards, but begins forthwith from above in the highest and outermost spheres of creation. The place whence, before all others, the praise is to resound is the heavens; it is to resound in the heights, viz., the heights of heaven ( Job 16:19; Job 25:2; Job 31:2). The מן might, it is true, also denote the birth or origin: ye of the heavens, i.e., ye celestial beings (cf. Psa 68:27), but the parallel בּמּרומים renders the immediate construction with הללוּ more natural. Psa 148:2-4 tell who are to praise Jahve there: first of all, all His angels, the messengers of the…”
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