Psalms 148:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 148:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.
Psalms 148:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 148

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“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, “praise the Lord, ye holy creatures from heaven.” Though some take the phrase,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“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 · Cross-reference reference work
“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 · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 Ruler of the world - all His host, i.e., angels and stars, for צבאו (Chethמb) or…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification