Psalms 148:10

Commentary on Psalms 148:10 (KJV)

Psalms 148:10 continues the majestic call to universal praise, specifically inviting the animal kingdom to join in the glorification of God. This verse, "Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:", meticulously lists various categories of creatures, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of God's dominion and the corresponding obligation of all creation to acknowledge its Creator.

Context

Psalm 148 is a powerful hymn of praise, beginning with a summons to the heavens and all celestial bodies to praise the Lord (Psalms 148:1-6). It then descends to the earth, calling upon natural phenomena like fire, hail, snow, and mountains (Psalms 148:7-9). Verse 10 specifically targets the animal kingdom, from wild "beasts" (Hebrew: chayyah, referring to wild animals) and domesticated "cattle" (Hebrew: behemah) to the lowliest "creeping things" and the highest "flying fowl" (Hebrew: tzippor kanaph, winged birds). This exhaustive list highlights that no part of creation is outside the scope of God's sovereignty or the chorus of His praise.

Key Themes

• Universal Praise: The core message is that all of creation, from the highest heavens to the smallest creature on earth, is designed to bring glory to its Maker. This verse underscores the belief that even without conscious thought, animals, by their very existence and nature, reflect God's wisdom and power.
• God's Sovereignty Over Creation: The diversity of animals listed—wild and tame, ground-dwelling and airborne—demonstrates the vastness of God's creative power and His absolute control over every living thing. He is the ultimate sustainer of all life, from the largest behemoth to the smallest insect.
• The Testimony of Nature: The natural world serves as a perpetual witness to God's attributes. Even non-rational beings implicitly declare God's glory, a concept echoed in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse are quite descriptive:

• "Beasts" (חַיָּה - chayyah): Refers to wild, living creatures, often large game or predators, emphasizing the untamed aspects of creation.
• "Cattle" (בְּהֵמָה - behemah): Denotes domesticated animals, those useful to humans, highlighting God's provision and the order He brings to creation.
• "Creeping things" (רֶמֶשׂ - remes): Encompasses small, often low-to-the-ground creatures like reptiles, insects, and rodents, indicating that even the seemingly insignificant are included.
• "Flying fowl" (צִפּוֹר כָּנָף - tzippor kanaph): Literally "bird of wing," referring to all birds, from the smallest sparrow to the largest eagle, covering the aerial realm of creation.

Practical Application

This verse invites believers to pause and appreciate the immense diversity and intricate design of the animal kingdom. It serves as a reminder that if all of creation, even the non-verbal animals, are called to praise God, how much more should humanity, endowed with reason and speech, offer conscious and heartfelt praise? It encourages us to:

• Observe and Appreciate: Take time to notice the wonders of nature around us, from the buzzing bee to the soaring bird, recognizing them as expressions of God's creative genius.
• Join the Chorus: Understand that our praise is part of a larger, universal symphony of adoration to God. Just as all creatures fulfill their purpose, we too are called to glorify Him through our lives.
• Steward Creation: Recognizing God's ownership and care for all creatures (as seen in Matthew 6:26), we are reminded of our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and its inhabitants.