Psalms 148 - Introduction

Israel, rejoicing in the restoration of its national existence, calls heaven and earth to join in a diapason of praise. Let every heavenly being and every heavenly body unite to praise Him Who created them and sustains them (Psalms 148:1-6). Let earth with all its phenomena and all its inhabitants praise Him for the revelation of His majesty (Psalms 148:7-13). Especially has He given His people ground for praise by restoring them to honour (Psalms 148:14).

Thus, though Israel's restoration is only briefly mentioned at the end, it is evidently the motive of the universal call to praise, and the thought that inspires the Psalm is the desire that not only all humanity but all creation should rejoice with Israel. Cp. Psalms 117:1-2. If man is the crown of creation, and Israel is Jehovah's servant for the redemption of humanity, then all things in heaven and earth must rejoice when Israel is raised from humiliation to honour. Cp. Isaiah 40-66 passim.

The Psalm implies the significance of Israel's history for the history of the world, and, in view of the unity of all being, for the history of the universe. It should be read in connexion with Romans 8:19 ff.; Revelation 5:13.

This Psalm was obviously written for liturgical use, and apparently, as may be inferred from Psalms 148:14, upon some special occasion. It bears a general resemblance to the other Psalms of the group, and may belong to the same epoch. It is an expansion of Psalms 145:10, and Psalms 148:14 connects it with Psalms 149:5; Psalms 149:9. The germ of it is found in Nehemiah 9:5-6. The Benediciteor Song of the Three Holy Childrenis based upon it.