Psalms 148:12

KJV

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

KJV (with Strong's)

Both young men {H970}, and maidens {H1330}; old men {H2205}, and children {H5288}:

Complete Jewish Bible

young men and women alike, old men and children.

Berean Standard Bible

young men and maidens, old and young together.

American Standard Version

Both young men and virgins; Old men and children:

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 148 stands as a vibrant part of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), a collection characterized by fervent and repeated exhortations to praise the Lord. The psalm itself unfolds in two distinct movements: the first half (verses 1-6) summons the celestial host—angels, sun, moon, and stars—to praise God, recognizing His role as Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. The second half (verses 7-14) then shifts to the earthly realm, calling upon all creatures, natural phenomena, and ultimately, humanity, to join this cosmic chorus. Verse 12, by specifically enumerating "young men, and maidens; old men, and children," serves as the culmination of this earthly summons, ensuring that the human element is fully represented, thereby making the psalm's call to praise truly comprehensive and all-encompassing, leading into the final declaration of God's exaltation over His people in [Psalms 148:14](/psalms/148-14 "Psalms 148:14 - God's Exaltation and Praise for His People").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms, as the prayer book and hymnbook of ancient Israel, reflect a deeply communal and liturgical life. While Psalms 148 does not pinpoint a specific historical event, its universal scope aligns with Israel's understanding of Yahweh as the sovereign God over all creation, not just their nation. The cultural context emphasizes the importance of intergenerational continuity and the transmission of faith. In ancient Israelite society, respect for elders was paramount, and children were seen as a blessing and the future of the covenant people. The explicit inclusion of all age groups underscores a societal structure where everyone, regardless of their stage of life, had a place and a role in the community's worship and life, reflecting the covenantal relationship that extended to all generations, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching the Commands to Children"). The call for praise from all ages also resonates with the Temple worship, where people of all ages would gather to worship God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 148 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Universal Praise**, demonstrating that the worship of God is not limited by geography, species, or, crucially, age. It’s an inclusive mandate for all creation to acknowledge its Creator, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalms 150:6](/psalms/150-6 "Psalms 150:6 - Everything That Has Breath Praises the Lord"). Secondly, it highlights **Inclusivity**, emphasizing that God's glory is to be recognized and celebrated by every human being, from the youngest to the oldest, the most innocent to the most experienced. This comprehensive listing ensures that no demographic is excluded from the divine chorus. Finally, it promotes the idea of **Holistic Worship**, suggesting that praise is a lifelong journey and activity that involves the entire spectrum of human development and experience. Each stage of life offers unique capacities and perspectives for adoring God, reinforcing the biblical principle that all of life is to be lived in worship and devotion to the Lord, as encouraged in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maidens (Hebrew, _bᵉthûwlâh'_):** This term refers to a virgin, derived from a root meaning "to separate," implying privacy or distinction. In this context, it specifically denotes young, unmarried women. Its inclusion alongside "young men" highlights the call to praise extending to both genders within the younger generation, emphasizing their purity and potential in worship.
* **Old men (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** This word signifies someone who is old or aged, often carrying connotations of wisdom, experience, and authority within the community. Its presence ensures that the wisdom and life experience accumulated over decades are also brought into the act of praise, acknowledging that devotion to God is a lifelong journey that deepens with age.
* **Children (Hebrew, _naʻar'_):** While often translated as "child," this term is quite broad, encompassing individuals from infancy through adolescence, and can even refer to a servant or a young man/girl. Its root suggests activity. Here, it specifically denotes the youngest members of society, emphasizing that even those at the very beginning of life's journey are called to participate in the universal praise of God, reflecting their innate capacity for wonder and simple devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Both young men, and maidens":** This clause specifically calls upon the younger generation, encompassing both male and female youth. "Young men" (bâchûwr) often refers to chosen or selected youth, perhaps implying vigor and strength. "Maidens" (bᵉthûwlâh) refers to virgins, emphasizing their purity and readiness. Together, they represent the vibrant, energetic, and formative years of life, asserting that these crucial stages are not exempt from, but rather are central to, the command to praise God.
* **"old men, and children":** This clause completes the human spectrum, bringing in the most senior and the most junior members of society. "Old men" (zâqên) denotes those with age, wisdom, and experience, signifying that a lifetime of knowledge and reflection should culminate in worship. "Children" (naʻar), a more general term for the young, represents innocence, dependence, and the earliest stages of life. By juxtaposing these two groups, the psalmist creates a comprehensive picture of humanity, from its nascent beginnings to its mature conclusion, all united in the singular purpose of glorifying the Lord.

#### 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.

### 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.

* [Deuteronomy 31:12](/deuteronomy/31-12 "Deuteronomy 31:12 - Assemble the People to Hear the Law")
* [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28 - God Pours Out His Spirit on All Flesh")
* [Matthew 21:16](/matthew/21-16 "Matthew 21:16 - Out of the Mouths of Babes")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does your personal worship life reflect the call to praise God at every stage of your life?**
* **In what ways can your family or community of faith better integrate and encourage intergenerational worship and spiritual formation?**
* **What unique contributions do "young men, and maidens; old men, and children" bring to the collective praise of God, and how can these be celebrated?**

### 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 two 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](/1_timothy/2-4 "1 Timothy 2:4 - God Desires All People to Be Saved").

### 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](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). 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](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Dividing Walls")). 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](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")). 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](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Praises God")), a glorious fulfillment of the psalmist's universal call for all ages to praise the Lord.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:37

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Titus 2:4

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Titus 2:6

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Psalms 8:2

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Matthew 21:15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

Matthew 21:16

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?