Psalm 148 presents the fact every created thing, and every creature of God has a duty and an obligation to praise the Lord.  In verses 1-6, the heavenly creatures, both spiritual and physical, are commanded to praise the Lord.  While in verses 7-14, all aspects of the creation on the earth are commanded to praise the Lord.  Again, this is another hallelujah psalm.

This psalm begins with the command to praise God.  "Praise ye the LORD."  Praise is not an option for anyone, it is a command.  It isn't if I feel like it, or I must be in private because I am so reserved as an individual.  No, if we have difficulty praising the LORD, we must learn how to give Him what is due Him.  The psalm begins by addressing the heavens, the heights, and the angels, and all hosts, to praise the Lord.  "Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise Him in the heights.  2 Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts." 

Verse 5 states, "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created." Our world is the result of God's creative work.  God spoke the world, and the creatures upon it, into existence.  This happened instantly, God spoke on each of the six days of creation, and it was all good.  Psalm 33:6 gives us a similar record, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."  Satan has espoused his lies to mankind, and one of the most damaging is the matter of evolution.  We must combat this lie by sharing the truth about creation with our children, grandchildren, and others that we know.  I know God created me, and therefore I praise Him for doing so.

Notice the list of things commanded to praise God found in verses 7-12, all because of His creative hand (dragons, all deeps, fire, hail, snow, vapor, stormy wind, mountains, hills, fruitful trees, cedars, beasts, cattle, insects, birds, kings, all people, judges, young men, young women, old men, and children).  

The psalm concludes with the words, "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye the LORD.” The word translated excellent in verse 13 basically means high or exalted.  God's glory is higher than the heavens. The Psalm concludes by speaking of those whom the Lord exalts or raises up. David Sorenson wrote in his commentary, Understanding the Bible, "A threefold direct object of the verb exalteth is at hand. First (1), God exalts “the horn of his people.” The metaphor is how that God exalts the strength of His people. The greater thought is how that He gives strength to His people. (2) He exalts “the praise of all his saints.” Because God is the object of the praise of His people, He exalts (i.e., magnifies that praise). In effect, God amplifies the praise of His people unto Himself. (3) Finally, God exalts “the children of Israel, a people near unto him.” In other words, God helps His people. That remains true to this day for the people of God. Therefore, the psalmist concludes the psalm with the oft-repeated command, “Praise ye the LORD.” We still, unto this day, have a duty to praise Him."

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS
1. Do you have difficulty praising the Lord in public? If you answered yes, why is this the case?

2. Part of your duty to praise the Lord is tied to what He did to create you. Why is it fitting for you to acknowledge God’s creation through praise?

3. Why is evolution such an evil in relation to who God is and the praise He is due?

4. Can you find any of God’s created beings exempted from praising Him? Do you see yourself in the list of those given the duty to praise the Lord?