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In the KJVVerse 16,384 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 148 verses 7–14
7 ¶ Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 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.
Considering that this earth, and the atmosphere that surrounds it, are the very sediment of the universe, it concerns us to enquire after those considerations that may be of use to reconcile us to our place in it; and I know none more likely than this (next to the visit which the Son of God once made to it), that even in this world, dark and as bad as it is, God is praised: Praise you the Lord from the earth, Psa 148:7. As the rays of the sun, which are darted directly from heaven, reflect back (though more weakly) from the earth, so should the praises of God, with which this cold and infected world should be warmed and perfumed.
I. Even those creatures that are not dignified with the powers of reason are summoned into this concert, because God may be glorified in them, Psa 148:7-10. Let the dragons or whales, that sport themselves in the mighty waters (Psa 104:26), dance before the Lord, to his glory, who largely proves his own omnipotence by his dominion over the leviathan or whale, Job 41:1, etc. All deeps, and their inhabitants, praise God - the sea, and the animals there - the bowels of the earth, and the animals there. Out of the depths God may be praised as well as prayed unto. If we look up into the atmosphere we meet with a great variety of meteors, which, being a king of new productions (and some of them unaccountable), do in a special manner magnify the power of the great Creator. There are fiery meteors; lightning is fire, and there are other blazes sometimes kindled which may be so called. There are watery meteors, hail, and snow, and the vapours of which they are gendered. There are airy meteors, stormy winds; we know not whence they come nor whither they go, whence their mighty force comes nor how it is spent; but this we know, that, be they ever so strong, so stormy, they fulfil God's word, and do that, and no more than that, which he appoints them; and by this Christ showed himself to have a divine power, that he commanded even the winds and the seas, and they obeyed him. Those that will not fulfil God's word, but rise up in rebellion against it, show themselves to be more violent and headstrong than even the stormy winds, for they fulfil it. Take a view of the surface of the earth (Psa 148:9), and there are presented to our view the exalted grounds, mountains and all hills, from the barren tops of some of which, and the fruitful tops of others, we may fetch matter for praise; there are the exalted plants, some that are exalted by their usefulness, as the fruitful trees of various kinds, for the fruits of which God is to be praised, others by their stateliness, as all cedars, those trees of the Lord, Psa 104:16. Cedars, the high trees, are not the fruitful trees, yet they had their use even in God's temple. Pass we next to the animal kingdom, and there we find God glorified, even by the beasts that run wild, and all cattle that are tame and in the service of man, Psa 148:10. Nay, even the creeping things have not sunk so low, nor do the flying fowl soar so high, as not to be called upon to praise the Lord. Much of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator appears in the several capacities and instincts of the creatures, in the provision made for them and the use made of them. When we see all so very strange, and all so very good, surely we cannot but acknowledge God with wonder and thankfulness.
II. Much more those creatures that are dignified with the powers of reason ought to employ them in praising God: Kings of the earth and all people, Psa 148:11, Psa 148:12. 1. God is to be glorified in and for these, as in and for the inferior creatures, for their hearts are in the hand of the Lord and he makes what use he pleases of them. God is to be praised in the order and constitution of kingdoms, the pars imperans - the part that commands, and the pars subdita - the part that is subject: Kings of the earth and all people. It is by him that kings reign, and people are subject to them; the princes and judges of the earth have their wisdom and their commission from him, and we, to whom they are blessings, ought to bless God for them. God is to be praised also in the constitution of families, for he is the founder of them; and for all the comfort of relations, the comfort that parents and children, brothers and sisters, have in each other, God is to be praised. 2. God is to be glorified by these. Let all manner of persons praise God. (1.) Those of each rank, high and low. The praises of kings, and princes, and judges, are demanded; those on whom God has put honour must honour him with it, and the power they are entrusted with, and the figure they make in the world, put them in a capacity of bringing more glory to God and doing him more service than others. Yet the praises of the people are expected also, and God will graciously accept of them; Christ despised not the hosannas of the multitude. (2.) Those of each sex, young men and maidens, who are accustomed to make merry together; let them turn their mirth into this channel; let it be sacred, that it may be pure. (3.) Those of each age. Old men must still bring forth this fruit in old age, and not think that either the gravity or the infirmity of their age will excuse them from it; and children too must begin betimes to praise God; even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings this good work is perfected. A good reason is given (Psa 148:13) why all these should praise the name of the Lord, because his name alone is excellent and worthy to be praised; it is a name above every name, no name, no nature, but his, has in it all excellency. His glory is above both the earth and the heaven, and let all inhabitants both of earth and heaven praise him and yet acknowledge his name to be exalted far above all blessing and praise.
III. Most of all his own people, who are dignified with peculiar privileges, must in a peculiar manner give glory to him, Psa 148:14. Observe, 1. The dignity God has put upon his people, even the children of Israel, typical of the honour reserved for all true believers, who are God's spiritual Israel. He exalts their horn, their brightness, their plenty, their power. The people of Israel were, in many respects, honoured above any other nation, for to them pertained the adoption, the glory, and the covenants, Rom 9:4. It was their own honour that they were a people near unto God, his Segulla, his peculiar treasure; they were admitted into his courts, when a stranger that came nigh must be put to death. They had him nigh to them in all that which they called upon him for. This blessing has not come upon the Gentiles, through Christ, for those that were afar off are by his blood made nigh, Eph 2:13. It is the greatest honour that can be put upon a man to be brought near to god, the nearer the better; and it will be best of all when nearest of all in the kingdom of glory. 2. The duty God expects from them in consideration of this. Let those whom God honours honour him: Praise you the Lord. Let him be the praise of all his saints, the object of their praise; for he is a praise to them. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, Deu 10:21. Some by the horn of his people understand David, as a type of Christ, whom God has exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, who is indeed the praise of all his saints and will be so for ever; for it is through him that they are a people near to God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–14. Public domain.
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Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILIES ON THE HEXAEMERON 3:9
And, even if the waters above the heavens are sometimes invited to praise the common Master of the universe, yet we do not for this reason consider them to be an intellectual nature. The heavens are not endowed with life because they “show forth the glory of God,” nor is the firmament a perceptive being because it “declares the work of his hands.” And, if someone says that the heavens are speculative powers, and the firmament, active powers productive of the good, we accept the expression as neatly said, but we will not concede that it is altogether true. For, in that case, dew, hoarfrost, cold and heat, since they were ordered by Daniel to praise in hymns the Creator of the universe, will be intelligent and invisible natures. The meaning in these words, however, accepted by speculative minds, is a fulfillment of the praise of the Creator. Not only the water that is above the heavens, as if holding the first place in honor because of the preeminence added to it from its excellence, fulfills the praise of God, but, “Praise him,” the psalmist says, “from the earth, you dragons and all you deeps.” So that even the deep, which those who speak allegories relegated to the inferior portion, was not itself judged deserving of rejection by the psalmist, since it was admitted to the general chorus of creation; but even it harmoniously sings a hymn of praise to the Creator through the language assigned to it.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 148:12 is a climactic declaration within a grand, universal symphony of praise, specifically calling upon all segments of humanity—from the vibrant energy of youth to the seasoned wisdom of old age—to join in the adoration of the Creator. This verse completes the psalmist's sweeping invitation, ensuring that the praise of God is not only cosmic in scope, encompassing heavens and earth, but also profoundly inclusive of every human being, emphasizing the boundless nature of divine glory and the universal obligation to respond in worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 148:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of universal praise. The most prominent is Enumeration, where the psalmist explicitly lists distinct categories of people ("young men," "maidens," "old men," "children"). This detailed listing ensures that no group is overlooked, reinforcing the theme of Inclusivity and the comprehensive nature of the call to worship. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a form of Merism, where two opposing or extreme parts are mentioned to represent the whole. By naming "young men" and "old men," and implicitly "maidens" and "children" as representing the full range of ages and genders, the psalmist signifies that everyone in between these extremes is also included. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring the absolute universality of the divine mandate to praise. The structure also exhibits a subtle Parallelism, pairing "young men" with "maidens" and "old men" with "children," creating a balanced and rhythmic flow that enhances the verse's memorability and impact, suggesting a harmonious chorus across all demographics.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 148:12 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's glory is so immense and His creative power so pervasive that the appropriate response from all of creation, especially humanity, is unceasing praise. The inclusion of every age group underscores that the call to worship is not a selective privilege but a universal obligation and a joyous privilege, inherent to human existence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the praise of God transcends generational divides, fostering a vision of a unified community where the wisdom of elders enriches the fervor of youth, and the innocence of children inspires the seasoned worshiper. It points to a God who is worthy of adoration from every stage of life, inviting a lifelong journey of devotion that begins in childhood and matures through old age, culminating in a collective witness to His majesty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 148:12 offers a profound blueprint for intergenerational worship and spiritual formation within families and communities of faith. It challenges us to move beyond age-segregated ministries and to cultivate environments where the praise of God is a shared experience across all generations. Imagine a church where the vibrant energy of young men and maidens is harmonized with the seasoned wisdom of old men and the pure, uninhibited joy of children, all raising their voices in unified adoration. This verse reminds parents and grandparents of their sacred duty to model and teach praise to the younger generation, ensuring that the legacy of faith continues. Conversely, it calls upon the youth to honor and learn from the spiritual journeys of their elders, recognizing the continuity of God's faithfulness through the ages. Ultimately, it invites every individual, regardless of their age or stage in life, to recognize their unique and indispensable role in the grand symphony of creation's praise to its magnificent Creator, fostering a holistic and vibrant expression of devotion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the psalmist specifically list these age groups? Is it just a random selection?
Answer: The psalmist specifically lists "young men, and maidens; old men, and children" not as a random selection, but as a comprehensive and intentional representation of the entire human spectrum. This literary device, often called merism, uses contrasting or extreme elements (youth and old age, male and female implied) to encompass the whole. It ensures that no demographic is left out of the universal call to praise. By explicitly naming these groups, the psalmist emphasizes the inclusivity of God's command and the expectation that every human being, regardless of their age or social standing, has a vital role in acknowledging and glorifying the Creator. It highlights that praise is a lifelong journey, from the earliest moments of understanding to the seasoned wisdom of old age. This echoes the broader biblical principle that God desires all people to come to the knowledge of truth and worship Him, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:4.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 148:12, with its sweeping call for all humanity to praise the Lord, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament psalmist envisions a universal chorus of creation, it is through Christ that this vision becomes a tangible reality. He is the one through whom all things were created, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, and through Him, all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore, it is fitting that all creation, and especially all humanity, should offer praise through Him and to Him. In the New Covenant, the dividing walls of hostility are broken down, uniting people of every age, gender, and background into one body in Christ (Ephesians 2:14). The praise envisioned in Psalms 148:12 is fully realized in the Church, the body of Christ, where young and old, male and female, Jew and Gentile, are brought together by the Holy Spirit to worship the Father through the Son (Galatians 3:28). Ultimately, the heavenly vision of worship in Revelation depicts a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and the Lamb, crying out praises with a loud voice (Revelation 7:9-10), a glorious fulfillment of the psalmist's universal call for all ages to praise the Lord.