Psalm 148 – Universal and eternal praise is due to God

Psalm 148 whose author we do not know is the third of the Hallelujah Psalms. Like the previous two, it starts with the word Hallelujah and ends with the same word. It had been written to elicit praise to God who rightly deserves to be praised, universally and eternally. Since nothing in heaven or earth is left out in the Psalmist’s call to praise the Lord, it is rightly called a Psalm of universal praise.

In verses 1-6 everything in heaven is called to praise the Lord. All celestial beings or angels are called to praise Him, and so are the luminaries, the sun, moon and stars. Even waters above the firmaments are called to praise Him. The Psalmist then provides reasons for why the whole heaven should praise God in verses 5-6. He tells us that firstly God has created all these things, and secondly He is the controller of every one of them.

The second category of creations called to praise God are earthly creation and creatures of God. Verses 7-14 tell us what things on earth should praise the Lord. The first group of earthly creations comprises the ocean and all creatures. Second group is made up of inorganic creation such as fire, hail, snow, mountains and hills. Third group of earthly creations comprises vegetation, such as fruit and forest trees. Animals, both wild and domesticated ones, all these together with creeping things and birds of the air make up the fourth group. The final group, the highest order of God’s creation called to praise God is the human beings. Regardless of status, people in leadership such as kings, princes or judges or ordinary peasants, all should praise the Lord. Regardless of age - young or old, and gender - male or female, all should praise the Lord. Why should these second group of people and things praise Him? It is because He has an excellent name that is highly exalted above all things. Secondly, the Psalmist said that Israel should praise Him, especially because they were the first covenant people of His, whom He had exalted as His chosen people.

Everything that God has created, whether they are capable of rationalization or not, has been made to function accordingly. In so doing, they emit praises to the Creator. In functioning as they are made to do, they are also constantly reflecting the glory of the Creator. Especially for us human beings, the highest order of His creation that are made in His image and likeness. We have been made with the capacity to think, feel and act like Him. It behooves us therefore rationally to never stop praising Him. More so now, because He, through Christ Jesus, has redeemed us and made us His very own. We are doubly His - first by creation then by redemption. We should therefore offer our ceaseless praise and worship to Him daily and forever, not as a compulsion but by personal and willing design. Praise the Lord!