---
title: "Clarke"
description: "This Psalm has no title: but by the Syriac it is attributed to Haggai and Zechariah, and the Septuagint and the AEthiopic follow it. As a hymn of praise,"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/148"
---

This Psalm has no title: but by the *Syriac* it is attributed to *Haggai* and *Zechariah*, and the *Septuagint* and the *AEthiopic* follow it. As a hymn of praise, this is the most sublime in the whole book.
Verse [Psalms 148:1](../../../kjv/psalms/148/1). ***Praise ye the Lord from the heavens*** — The *Chaldee* translates, "Praise the Lord, ye holy creatures from the heavens. Praise him, ye armies of supreme angels. Praise him, all ye angels who minister before him." מן השמים *min hashshamayim* signifies whatever belongs to the heavens, all their inhabitants; as מן הארץ *min haarets*, [Psalms 148:7](../../../kjv/psalms/148/7), signifies all that belongs to the earth, all its inhabitants and productions.

Verse [Psalms 148:3](../../../kjv/psalms/148/3). ***Praise ye him, sun and moon*** — The meaning of this address and all others to *inanimate nature*, is this: Every work of God's hand partakes so much of his perfections, that it requires only to be studied and known, in order to show forth the manifold *wisdom, power*, and *goodness* of the Creator.
***Stars of light*** — The brightest and most luminous stars: probably the planets may be especially intended.

Verse [Psalms 148:4](../../../kjv/psalms/148/4). ***Heavens of heavens*** — Heavens exceeding heavens. Systems of systems extending as far beyond the solar system, as it does beyond the lowest deeps. The endless systematic concatenation of worlds.
***Ye waters that*****be*****above the heavens.*** — This refers to [Genesis 1:7](../../../kjv/genesis/1/7), where see the notes. Clouds, vapours, air, exhalations, rain, snow, and meteors of every kind.

Verse [Psalms 148:5](../../../kjv/psalms/148/5). ***He commanded, and they were created.*** — He spake the word expressive of the idea in his infinite mind; and they sprang into being according to that idea.

Verse [Psalms 148:6](../../../kjv/psalms/148/6). ***He hath also stablished them*** — He has determined their respective *revolutions*, and the *times* in which they are performed, so exactly to show his all-comprehensive wisdom and skill, that they have never passed the line marked out by his *decree*, nor intercepted each other in the vortex of space, through revolutions continued for nearly 6000 years.

Verse [Psalms 148:7](../../../kjv/psalms/148/7). ***Praise the Lord from the earth*** — As in the first address, he calls upon the heavens and all that *belong to them*; so here, in this second part, he calls upon the earth, and all *that* *belong to it*.
***Ye dragons*** — תנינים *tanninim*, whales, porpoises, sharks, and sea-monsters of all kinds.
***And all deeps*** — Whatsoever is contained in the sea, whirlpools, eddies, ground tides, with the astonishing flux and reflux of the ocean.
Every thing, in its *place* and *nature*, shows forth the perfections of its Creator.

Verse [Psalms 148:8](../../../kjv/psalms/148/8). ***Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours*** — All kinds of meteors, water, and fire, in all their forms and combinations. And *air*, whether in the gentle *breeze*, the *gale*, the *whirlwind*, the *tempest*, or the *tornado*; each accomplishing an especial purpose, and fulfilling a particular *will* of the Most High.

Verse [Psalms 148:9](../../../kjv/psalms/148/9). ***Mountains, and all hills*** — Whether *primitive, secondary*, or *alluvial*; of *ancient* or *recent formation*, with all their *contents*, quarries, mines, and minerals. But what a profusion of wisdom and skill is lavished on these! To instance only in the different metals, earths, and minerals; especially the precious stones.
***Fruitful trees*** — עץ פרי *ets peri, fruit trees* of all kinds.
***And all cedars*** — Every kind of *forest tree*. The formation of the *fruits*, their infinitely varied *hues* and savours, proclaim the unsearchable wisdom and goodness of God: not less so, the *growth,* *structure*, and *various qualities* and *uses* of the *forest trees.*
**

Verse [Psalms 148:10](../../../kjv/psalms/148/10). ***Beasts*** — החיה *hachaiyah, wild beasts* of every kind.
***All cattle*** — בהמה *behemah*, all *domestic animals*; those used for the service of the *house*, and those for *agricultural* purposes.
***Creeping things*** — All the class of *reptiles*, from the *boa* *constrictor*, that can combat, kill, and swallow whole the *royal* *tiger*, to the *cobra de manille*, a poisonous reptile as small as a *fine needle*; with those still smaller animals that are found in water, and require the power of the microscope to bring them to view. In the production, preservation, habits, and properties of all these, there is a profusion of wisdom and economy that would require ages to exhibit.
***Flying fowl*** — The structure of fowls is astonishing; and the exact *mathematical manner* in which *flying fowls swim* the air, and steer their course wheresoever they will; the feathers, and their *construction*, with the *muscles* which give them motion; strike the observer of nature with *astonishment* and *delight*.

Verse [Psalms 148:11](../../../kjv/psalms/148/11). ***Kings of the earth*** — As being representatives of the Most High; and *all people*-the nations governed by them. *Princes*, as governors of provinces, and *all judges* executing those laws that bind man to man, and regulate and preserve civil society; *praise God*, from whom ye have derived your *power* and *influence*: for *by him kings reign*. And let the *people* magnify God for *civil* and *social institutions*, and for the *laws* by which, under him, their *lives* and *properties* are preserved.

Verse [Psalms 148:12](../../../kjv/psalms/148/12). ***Both young men, and maidens*** — Who are in the bloom of youth, and in the height of health and vigour; know that God is your Father; and let the morning and energy of your days be devoted to *him*.
***Old men, and children*** — Very appropriately united here, as the *beginning* and *conclusion* of *life* present nearly the same passions, appetites, caprices, and infirmities: yet in both the beneficence, all-sustaining power, and goodness of God are seen.

Verse [Psalms 148:13](../../../kjv/psalms/148/13). ***Let them*** — All already specified, *praise the name of* *Jehovah*, because he excels all beings: and *his glory*, as seen in creating, preserving, and governing all things, is על *al, upon* or *over*, the *earth* and *heaven*. All *space* and *place*, as well as the beings found in them, show forth the manifold wisdom and goodness of God.

Verse [Psalms 148:14](../../../kjv/psalms/148/14). ***He also exalteth the horn*** — Raises to power and authority *his people*.
***The praise*** — Jehovah is the subject of the praise of all his *saints*.
***A people near unto him.*** — The only people who know him, and make their approaches unto him with the *sacrifices* and *offerings* which he has himself prescribed. Praise ye the Lord!
O what a hymn of praise is here! It is a *universal chorus*! All created nature have a share, and all perform their respective parts.
All *intelligent beings* are especially called to praise him who made them in his love, and sustains them by his beneficence. *Man* particularly, in all the stages of his being - *infancy, youth,* *manhood*, and *old age*: all human beings have their peculiar interest in the great Father of the spirits of all flesh.
He loves *man*, wheresoever found, of whatsoever colour, in whatever circumstances, and in all the stages of his pilgrimage from his *cradle* to his *grave*.
Let the *lisp* of the *infant*, the *shout* of the *adult*, and the *sigh* of the *aged*, ascend to the universal parent, as a gratitude-offering. He guards those who *hang upon the breast*; controls and directs the *headstrong* and *giddy*, and sustains *old* *age* in its infirmities; and sanctifies to it the sufferings that bring on the termination of life.
Reader, this is thy God! How great, how good, holy merciful, how compassionate! Breathe thy soul up to him; breathe it into him; and let it be preserved in his bosom till mortality be swallowed up of life, and all that is imperfect be done away.
Jesus is thy sacrificial offering; Jesus is thy Mediator. He has taken thy humanity, and placed it on the throne! He creates all things new; and faith in his blood will bring thee to his glory! Amen! hallelujah!
The psalmist calls upon the whole creation to he instrumental in praising God. By which he shows, -
I. His ardent desire that God be praised. As if creatures, endowed with reason, were too few, therefore he calls on inanimate things to join and be heralds of his wondrous works.
II. His intention what he would and could have done.
III. That what could be done should be done.
IV. That all really do praise him in their kind and manner.
This Psalm is disposed into excellent distribution.
1. He calls upon celestial creatures in general; 2. In particular. 1. On angels: "Praise ye the Lord from the heavens," c. Ye of celestial order. 2. "Praise him in the heights," &c. The heavens above. 3. "Praise him, all his hosts," &c. Which in St. Luke are called *the heavenly host*.
2. "Praise ye him, sun, moon, and stars." Though not with the voice, yet by your beauty, motion, light, efficacy, &c.
He mentions the whole body of the heavenly orbs.
1. "Praise him, ye heavens of heavens," &c. The highest state of bliss.
2. "And ye waters," &c. All the orbs above the air, in Scripture called *heavens* and the *waters* that are above the firmament.
And in the two next verses he gives the reason.
1. "He commanded," &c. They are his creatures, therefore, -
2. "He hath established them," &c. They are incorruptible.
From the heavens he now descends to the earth, air, water, &c.: "Praise the Lord from the earth," &c. All ye elementary substances.
1. "Ye dragons." Whales, great fishes.
2. "All deeps." All kinds of waters.
3. "Fire and hail," &c. Meteors, &c.
4. "Mountains and hills," &c.
5. "Fruitful trees," &c. Trees fit to build with and fruit-trees.
6. "Beasts and all cattle." Both wild and tame.
7. "Creeping things," &c. Worms and serpents.
8. "And all flying fowls."
And, lastly, he cites all mankind to praise God.
1. "The highest kings," &c. They who command, and they who obey.
2. "Princes, and all judges," &c. All inferior magistrates.
3. "Both young men and maidens." Both sexes.
4. "Old men and children," - all ages: "Let them praise the name of the Lord."
And for this reason: -
1. "For his name is excellent alone." No name is so sublime and worthy.
2. "His glory is above the earth and heaven." All good comes from him.
The prophet concludes this Psalm with God's goodness to the Church, which furnishes him with another reason: -
1. He also "exalts the horn," &c. The power and glory of his people.
2. "He is the praise," &c. The Guide of *Israel*.
3. "Even of the children of Israel," &c. A people consecrated to God. All which is to be understood not merely of *Israel* according to the flesh, but God's spiritual Church. Now those who are true Israelites, and those especially, he excites to sing, -
"Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord!"

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