Psalms 148:5

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

Let them praise {H1984} the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}: for he commanded {H6680}, and they were created {H1254}.

Let them praise the name of ADONAI; for he commanded, and they were created.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created.

Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For he commanded, and they were created.

Commentary

Psalms 148:5 is a powerful declaration within a grand hymn of praise, focusing on the celestial bodies and their ultimate reason for existence and worship.

Context

Psalm 148 is one of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), a series of psalms that conclude the Psalter with fervent calls to praise the LORD. This particular psalm is a magnificent, cosmic symphony, inviting all of creation—from the highest heavens to the deepest earth—to join in universal adoration. Verses 1-4 specifically summon the heavenly hosts, including the sun, moon, stars, and the "waters above the heavens," to praise God. Verse 5 then provides the fundamental reason for their praise: their very existence is a direct result of God's sovereign will and creative power. It grounds the call to worship in the immutable truth of divine creation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Creative Power: The verse powerfully asserts that God's spoken word is the ultimate force behind all existence. The phrase "he commanded, and they were created" highlights creation not as an evolutionary process but as an immediate, authoritative act of God's will. This underscores God's supreme power and authority over all things.
  • The Basis for Praise: The sheer act of creation is presented as the foundational reason for all beings to praise the LORD. Everything that exists owes its being to Him, and therefore, its very existence is a testament to His glory and worthy of continuous adoration.
  • God's Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes God's absolute control and dominion over creation. His command is sufficient; it brings forth reality. This theme reinforces God's position as the rightful ruler and sustainer of the universe.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "commanded" is tzavah (צָוָה), which denotes an authoritative decree or instruction, not merely a suggestion. It signifies a powerful and effective word. The verb for "created" is bara (בָּרָא), a term often used in the Old Testament specifically for God's unique act of bringing something into existence, especially out of nothing (ex nihilo). This highlights the divine, unparalleled nature of God's creative work, particularly evident in the cosmic scale described in Psalms 148.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 148:5 reminds us that the universe is not a product of chance but the deliberate, powerful work of a divine Creator. If the vast, inanimate cosmos praises the LORD simply by existing as He commanded, how much more should humanity, made in His image and recipients of His grace, offer conscious and heartfelt praise? This verse invites us to look at the heavens with awe and wonder, recognizing God's immense power and wisdom displayed in every star and galaxy. It calls us to join the universal chorus of praise, acknowledging that our very breath and being are gifts from the One who spoke the world into existence. Understanding that "he commanded, and they were created" provides a profound basis for faith, trust, and worship, affirming God's complete control and the purposeful nature of all creation. We can also see parallels to the creative power of God's word in the New Testament, where all things were made through Christ, the Word.

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Cross-References

  • Revelation 4:11 (10 votes)

    Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

  • Psalms 33:6 (8 votes)

    By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

  • Psalms 33:9 (8 votes)

    For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

  • Genesis 1:6 (7 votes)

    ¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

  • Genesis 1:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

  • Genesis 1:2 (6 votes)

    And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

  • Jeremiah 10:11 (6 votes)

    Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.