Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Praise {H1984} ye him, all his angels {H4397}: praise {H1984} ye him, all his hosts {H6635}.

Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his armies!

Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.

Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his host.

Psalms 148:2 is a vibrant call to worship, extending the psalmist's grand summons for praise to the highest reaches of creation: the heavenly realm. Following the exhortation in Psalm 148:1 for the heavens themselves to praise God, this verse specifically names the celestial beings who inhabit them.

Context

Psalm 148 is a magnificent hymn of universal praise, systematically inviting every part of creation—from the celestial spheres to the earthly creatures and humanity—to glorify the Lord. The psalmist begins with the heavens, calling upon the sun, moon, stars, and the "waters that be above the heavens" (verse 4) to praise God. Verse 2 specifically focuses on the intelligent, spiritual inhabitants of the heavens, setting the stage for a cosmic chorus of adoration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse underscores God's absolute authority and dominion, not only over the physical universe but also over the powerful, spiritual beings who serve Him. Even the highest heavenly host is subject to His command and exists to praise Him.
  • Universal Worship: The psalm emphasizes that worship is not limited to humanity alone but is a universal obligation and privilege extending to all created beings. The angels and heavenly hosts are depicted as active participants in this eternal act of adoration.
  • God's Majesty and Worthiness: The fact that such powerful and pure beings are commanded to praise God highlights His immense glory and unparalleled worthiness to receive all honor and worship.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Angels": The Hebrew word here is mal'akhim (מַלְאָכִים), which literally means "messengers" or "emissaries." These are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, carry out His will, and often act as His representatives. Their primary purpose, as seen here, is to praise and worship their Creator.
  • "Hosts": The Hebrew term tseva'av (צְבָאָיו) refers to "armies" or "companies." In the context of heavenly beings, it denotes the vast, organized multitude of angelic beings, emphasizing their immense number and their disciplined service under God's command. This aligns with the title "Lord of Hosts," which describes God as the commander of these heavenly armies (e.g., Isaiah 6:3).

Reflection and Application

The call for angels and heavenly hosts to praise God serves as a profound reminder for humanity. If these celestial beings, who constantly dwell in God's presence and perfectly execute His will, are exhorted to praise Him, how much more should we, who have experienced His redemptive love and grace, offer our worship? This verse encourages believers to join the grand, cosmic chorus of praise, recognizing that our worship is not an isolated act but part of a continuous, universal adoration that began in the heavens. It inspires us to live lives of worship, knowing that we are participating in the same divine activity as the multitude of angels around God's throne.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 103:20

    Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

  • Psalms 103:21

    Bless ye the LORD, all [ye] his hosts; [ye] ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

  • Ezekiel 3:12

    Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, [saying], Blessed [be] the glory of the LORD from his place.

  • Isaiah 6:2

    Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

  • Isaiah 6:4

    And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

  • Job 38:7

    When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

  • Genesis 2:1

    ¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

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