INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 148 This psalm seems to have been written about the same time, and by the same person, as the preceding; even by the psalmist David, when he was in profound peace, and at rest from all his enemies; and the kingdom of Israel was in a well settled and prosperous condition, both... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD,.... 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 h... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE HIM, ALL HIS ANGELS,.... The Targum adds, who minister before him: the ministering spirits, the angels of Jehovah, even of Christ, who are his creatures, and at his command; and whom he sends forth to minister to others, Hebrews 1:7. And great numbers there are of them, thousands and tens... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE HIM, SUN AND MOON,.... The sun praises the Lord, the Creator of it, by doing the work constantly it is appointed to do; to rule by day, and give light and heat to the earth, and the inhabitants of it; and so is the cause of man's praising the Lord for the benefits they receive from it; for... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE HIM, YE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS,.... All the heavens, the airy and starry heavens; and the third heaven, the residence of God, angels and saints: these are made by the Lord, and declare the glory of his power, wisdom, and goodness, and show forth his handiwork, Psalms 19:1. A voice was heard from... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD,.... Set forth the glory of the nature and perfections of God, and celebrate the praise of them; even all celestial creatures, the angels, the hosts of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars; the heavens, and the haven of heavens, and the waters above them; and that fo... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH ALSO STABLISHED THEM FOR EVER AND EVER,.... The angels are made immortal, and shall never die; and they are confirmed in their state of happiness by Christ, and shall always continue in it; the hosts of heaven being created by him, consist in him, and will remain as long as the world does; h... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE THE LORD FROM THE EARTH,.... Let his praise resound from all creatures on earth, and reach him in the highest heavens; this phrase comprehends all terrestrial beings afterwards particularly mentioned; all in the terraqueous globe, all that arise from it, are upon it, or within it; YE DRAGONS... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRE, AND HAIL,.... These, and what follow in this verse, are in the air, but are what are exhaled or drawn up from the earth or water; "fire" is lightning, which is very swift in its motion, and powerful in its effects; this is the fire which consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain... [ Continue Reading ]
MOUNTAINS, AND ALL HILLS,.... Which are originally formed by the Lord, and set fast by his power and strength; these are the highest parts of the earth, and are very ornamental and useful; they include all in them and upon them, the trees and herbage that grow upon them, gold, silver, brass, and iro... [ Continue Reading ]
BEASTS, AND ALL CATTLE,.... Wild and tame; the beasts of the field, and the cattle on a thousand hills, which are all the Lord's, made, supported, and supplied by him; he gives them their food and drink, which they wait for and receive from him, and in their manner praise him for the same; and these... [ Continue Reading ]
KINGS OF THE EARTH, AND ALL PEOPLE,.... The order of the creation is pretty much observed throughout the whole of this account; and as man was made last of all, so here he is called upon last to praise the Lord; and the chief among men are begun with, "the kings of the earth", of the several nations... [ Continue Reading ]
BOTH YOUNG MEN, AND MAIDENS,.... These should praise the Lord, the one for their strength, the other for their beauty; and both should remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and fear, serve, and worship him; so they will praise and glorify him, as did Obadiah, Josiah, Timothy, and the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, His nature and perfections, and celebrate the glory of them; and his wonderful works, and the blessings of his goodness, both of providence and grace; even all the above creatures and things, celestial and terrestrial, for the following reasons; FOR HIS NAME AL... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ALSO EXALTETH THE HORN OF HIS PEOPLE,.... Which is done when he increases their strength, their spiritual strength especially; makes them strong in the Lord, in his grace, and in the power of his might; when their dominion and authority is enlarged, and victory given over all their enemies; parti... [ Continue Reading ]