Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. PSALM 148
Ps 148:1-14. The scope of this Psalm is the same as that of the preceding. 1. heavens [and] heights—are synonymous. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 2. hosts—(compare Ps 103:21).
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 4. heavens of heavens—the very highest.
waters—clouds, resting above the visible heavens (compare Ge 1:7). Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 5. praise the name—as representing His perfections.
he commanded—"He" is emphatic, ascribing creation to God alone. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 6. The perpetuity of the frame of nature is, of course, subject to Him who formed it.
a decree … pass—His ordinances respecting them shall not change (Jer 36:31), or perish (Job 34:20; Ps 37:36). Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 7-10. The call on the earth, as opposed to heaven, includes seas or depths, whose inhabitants the dragon, as one of the largest (on leviathan, see on [636]Ps 104:26), is selected to represent. The most destructive and ungovernable agents of inanimate nature are introduced.
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 8. fulfilling his word—or, law, may be understood of each. Next the most distinguished productions of the vegetable world.
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 9. fruitful trees—or, "trees of fruit," as opposed to forest trees. Wild and domestic, large and small animals are comprehended.
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 11, 12. Next all rational beings, from the highest in rank to little children.
princes—or, military leaders. Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 13. Let them—all mentioned.
excellent—or, exalted (Isa 12:4). his glory—majesty (Ps 45:3). above the earth and heaven—Their united splendors fail to match His. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. 14. exalteth the horn—established power (Ps 75:5, 6). praise of—or literally, "for" his saints—that is, occasions for them to praise Him. They are further described as "His people," and "near unto Him," sustaining by covenanted care a peculiarly intimate relation. A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] Bible Hub |
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