Psalms 148

The Prophets exhorts all Creatures both Celestial and Terrestrial, but Man especially, to praise God, by reason of his Glory, and Power, but chiefly for his graciousness and favour towards his Church and people.

1. Hallelu-Jah. Praise the LORD, [This Verb Praise, is used here in the plural in the Hebrew Text, and so throughout this and two following Psalms] out of the Heavens: [or, (ye) of the Heavens; i.e. ye heavenly Creatures, as well the Heavens themselves, with their inhabitants, as the Stars, and all their motions. So also verse 7.] Praise him in the highest places.

2. , Praise him all his Angels: Praise him all his Hosts, [which viz. Are in Heaven. See the Annot. Gen.2.on v.1. and Psalm 103.on v.21.]

3. Praise him Sun and Moon: praise him all ye shining Stars. [Heb. Stars of Lights.]

4. Praise him ye Heaven of Heavens: [i.e. ye most high ones. See Deut.10.on verse 14. And 1 Kings, 8.on verse 27.] and the Waters which are above the Heavens: [i.e. the Clouds which hang as it were in the Aire, called likewise Heaven. See Gen.1.6,7. Job 26:8. and 37.v.11.]

5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for when he commanded it, they were created.

6. And he hath established them for evermore in eternity: he hath given them an order which none of them shall transgress. [The meaning is, None of all those Creatures before named shall transgress the order appointed them, and established by God.]

7. Praise the LORD from the earth; [i.e. ye Creatures upon the Earth, or made of Earth] ye Whales [the Whales, or Sea-Dragons, and other Sea-Mosters, are comprehended here under the Earths notion; as sometimes the sea it self is, and particularly, there where it is said, that God created Heaven and Earth, comprehending the whole Universe, Gen.1.1.] and all abysses.

8. Fire and Hail, snow and Damp, thou Stormwind which doth his word. [i.e. his viz. The Lords command. The Creatures which have no sence do praise and serve God in their kind, when God by them performs or executes his will and pleasure. See Psalms 19:4. and 147.15.]

9. Ye Hills and all Hillocks: fruit-trees, and all Cedar-trees.

10. Yet Hills and all cattle: creeping Animals, and winged fowls. [Hebr. Fowls of the wing.]

11. Ye Kings of the Earth, and all people; ye Princes and all Judges of the Earth.

12. Young men and maidens also: ye old ones with the young.

13. Let them praise the Name of the LORD; for his Name alone is highly exalted; his Majesty is over the earth, and Heavens.

14. And he hath exalted the Horn of his people: [i.e. their power and glory. See Deut.33.on verse 17. This is principally fulfilled in Christ, who is called the Horn of Salvation, Luke 1:69.] the praise [giving them stuff and matter enough of praising his Name for his Benefits] of all his Favourites, [understand by these Favourites, the Children of God, and godly persons, which are merciful and kind hearted, as their Heavenly father is. See Psalms 4:4.] the children of Israel, the people that is neer him. [i.e. which is a people more strictly allied and assianced with God in Christ, then any other people, John 20:17. Ephes.2.13.17. and 1 John 3:1.]