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Commentary on Psalms 148 verses 1–6
We, in this dark and depressed world, know but little of the world of light and exaltation, and, conversing within narrow confines, can scarcely admit any tolerable conceptions of the vast regions above. But this we know,
I. That there is above us a world of blessed angels by whom God is praised, an innumerable company of them. Thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him; and it is his glory that he has such attendants, but much more his glory that he neither needs them, nor is, nor can be, any way benefited by them. To that bright and happy world the psalmist has an eye here, Psa 148:1, Psa 148:2. In general, to the heavens, to the heights. The heavens are the heights, and therefore we must lift up our souls above the world unto God in the heavens, and on things above we must set our affections. It is his desire that God may be praised from the heavens, that thence a praising frame may be transmitted to this world in which we live, that while we are so cold, and low, and flat, in praising God, there are those above who are doing it in a better manner, and that while we are so often interrupted in this work they rest not day nor night from it. In particular, he had an eye to God's angels, to his hosts, and calls upon them to praise God. That God's angels are his hosts is plain enough; as soon as they were made they were enlisted, armed, and disciplined; he employs them in fighting his battles, and they keep ranks, and know their place, and observe the word of command as his hosts. But what is meant by the psalmist's calling upon them, and exciting them to praise God, is not so easy to account for. I will not say, They do not heed it, because we find that to the principalities and powers is known by the church the manifold wisdom of God (Eph 3:10); but I will say, They do not need it, for they are continually praising God and there is no deficiency at all in their performances; and therefore when, in singing this psalm, we call upon the angels to praise God (as we did, Psa 103:20), we mean that we desire God may be praised by the ablest hands and in the best manner, - that we are pleased to think he is so, - that we have a spiritual communion with those that dwell in his house above and are still praising him, - and that we have come by faith, and hope, and holy love, to the innumerable company of angels, Heb 12:22.
II. That there is above us not only an assembly of blessed spirits, but a system of vast bodies too, and those bright ones, in which God is praised, that is, which may give us occasion (as far as we know any thing of them) to give to God the glory not only of their being, but of their beneficence to mankind. Observe,
1.What these creatures are that thus show us the way in praising God, and, whenever we look up and consider the heavens, furnish us with matter for his praises. (1.) There are the sun, moon, and stars, which continually, either day or night, present themselves to our view, as looking-glasses, in which we may see a faint shadow (for so I must call it, not a resemblance) of the glory of him that is the Father of lights, Psa 148:3. The greater lights, the sun and moon, are not too great, too bright, to praise him; and the praises of the less lights, the stars, shall not be slighted. Idolaters made the sun, moon, and stars, their gods, and praised them, worshipping and serving the creature, because it is seen, more than the Creator, because he is not seen; but we, who worship the true God only, make them our fellow-worshippers, and call upon them to praise him with us, nay, as Levites to attend us, who, as priests, offer this spiritual sacrifice. (2.) There are the heavens of heavens above the sun and stars, the seat of the blessed; from the vastness and brightness of these unknown orbs abundance of glory redounds to God, for the heavens of heavens are the Lord's (Psa 115:16) and yet they cannot contain him, Kg1 8:27. The learned Dr. Hammond understands her, by the heavens of heavens, the upper regions of the air, or all the regions of it, as Psa 68:33. We read of the heaven of heavens, whence God sends forth his voice, and that a mighty voice, meaning the thunder. (3.) There are the waters that are above the heavens, the clouds that hang above in the air, where they are reserved against the day of battle and war, Job 38:23. We have reason to praise God, not only that these waters do not drown the earth, but that they do water it and make it fruitful. The Chaldee paraphrase reads it, Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters that depend on the word of him who is above the heavens, for the key of the clouds is one of the keys which God has in his hand, wherewith he opens and none can shut, he shuts and none can open.
2.Upon what account we are to give God the glory of them: Let them praise the name of the Lord, that is, let us praise the name of the Lord for them, and observe what constant and fresh matter for praise may be fetched from them. (1.) Because he made them, gave them their powers and assigned them their places: He commanded them (great as they are) out of nothing, and they were created at a word's speaking. God created, and therefore may command; for he commanded, and so created; his authority must always be acknowledged and acquiesced in, because he once spoke with such authority. (2.) Because he still upholds and preserves them in their beings and posts, their powers and motions (Psa 148:6): He hath established them for ever and ever, that is, to the end of time, a short ever, but it is their ever; they shall last as long as there is occasion for them. He hath made a decree, the law of creation, which shall not pass; it was enacted by the wisdom of God, and therefore needs not be altered, by his sovereignty and inviolable fidelity, and therefore cannot be altered. All the creatures that praised God at first for their creation must praise him still for their continuance. And we have reason to praise him that they are kept within the bounds of a decree; for to that it is owing that the waters above the heavens have not a second time drowned the earth.
"He has established them for the age, and for age upon age" [Psalm 148:6]. All things in heaven, all things above, all powers and angels, a certain city on high, good, holy, blessed; from whence because we are wanderers, we are wretched; whither because we are to return, we are blessed in hope; whither when we shall have returned, we shall be blessed indeed; "He has given them a law which shall not pass away." What sort of command, think ye, have things in heaven and the holy angels received? What sort of command has God given them? What, but that they praise Him? Blessed are they whose business is to praise God! They plough not, they sow not, they grind not, they cook not; for these are works of necessity, and there is no necessity there. They steal not, they plunder not, they commit no adultery; for these are works of iniquity, and there is no iniquity there. They break not bread for the hungry, they clothe not the naked, they take not in the stranger, they visit not the sick, they set not at one the contentious, they bury not the dead; for these are works of mercy, and there there is no misery, for mercy to be shown to. O blessed they! Think we that we too shall be like this? Ah! let us sigh, let us groan in sighing. And what are we, that we should be there? Mortal, outcast, abject, earth and ashes! But He, who has promised, is almighty....
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SUMMARY
Psalms 148:6 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and the enduring, immutable order He has established throughout the cosmos. As part of a grand, universal call to praise, this verse specifically highlights that the very existence and perpetual operation of the celestial bodies, previously summoned to praise, are not arbitrary but are sustained by God's eternal and unalterable decree. It underscores the reliability and steadfastness of the divine will that governs all creation, providing a foundational reason for the universe's ceaseless adoration of its Creator.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 148:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Divine Fiat, where God's spoken word or decree is presented as the ultimate, unchallengeable force that establishes and maintains cosmic order. This is evident in "he hath made a decree," which portrays God as actively legislating for the universe. The phrase "for ever and ever" functions as Hyperbole or Merism, emphasizing the absolute and unending duration of God's establishment, extending beyond human comprehension of time to denote a divinely ordained perpetuity. Furthermore, the psalm as a whole, and this verse within it, contributes to the overarching theme of Cosmic Order as Testimony. The predictable and unchanging nature of the heavens, upheld by God's decree, serves as a perpetual, silent witness to His power, wisdom, and faithfulness, inviting all creation to join in praise. The stability of the universe is not random but a direct, observable consequence of God's steadfast word.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 148:6 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God and His relationship with creation. It asserts that the order and stability of the cosmos are not accidental or self-sustaining, but are the direct result of God's sovereign will and unchangeable decree. This concept of an immutable divine order provides a bedrock for understanding God's faithfulness and trustworthiness, not just in the grand cosmic scheme but also in His dealings with humanity. If God's word is powerful enough to establish and sustain the stars "for ever and ever" without fail, then His promises, covenants, and character are equally steadfast and reliable. This truth invites believers to rest in His unwavering power and wisdom, knowing that the same God who upholds the universe also governs their lives with perfect foresight and unwavering commitment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world characterized by constant change, uncertainty, and often, chaos, Psalms 148:6 offers immense comfort and profound reassurance. It reminds us that at the heart of all existence lies an unchanging, reliable, and all-powerful God. The same divine decree that upholds the sun, moon, and stars in their precise orbits, ensuring the predictability of day and night and the seasons, is the same divine will that governs our lives. This truth encourages us to place our trust not in fleeting circumstances or human endeavors, but in the steadfastness of the Creator whose word "shall not pass." It calls us to find peace in His sovereign control, knowing that His plans are as sure and eternal as the cosmic order He has established. Ultimately, this verse invites us to join the entire creation in a chorus of praise, acknowledging the God who is utterly dependable, perfectly wise, and supremely worthy of all adoration.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "stablished them for ever and ever" mean for our understanding of the universe and modern science?
Answer: This phrase, "stablished them for ever and ever," speaks to the enduring and reliable nature of the cosmic order established by God. From a biblical perspective, it emphasizes the consistency and predictability of the universe, which allows for scientific study and discovery. While scientific understanding of the universe's origin and potential end (e.g., the heat death of the universe, or the sun eventually burning out) may seem to contradict "for ever and ever," the biblical language often uses such phrases to denote an indefinite, exceedingly long, or divinely appointed duration within God's created order, rather than a strictly infinite existence independent of His will. The primary theological point is that the universe's stability is not inherent but divinely maintained, and its existence is entirely dependent on God's sustaining power and unchangeable decree, which will hold until He determines otherwise, as seen in the prophetic declaration of the day of the Lord, when the heavens shall pass away with a great noise.
What is the "decree" God made that "shall not pass"?
Answer: The "decree" (Hebrew: chôq') refers to God's divine ordinance, statute, or fixed law that governs the existence, movement, and function of the celestial bodies and, by extension, the entire created order. It's not a single, specific command like "let there be light," but rather the ongoing, unalterable divine mandate that ensures the consistent operation of the universe. This decree establishes the laws of physics, the cycles of nature, and the very fabric of reality. The phrase "shall not pass" underscores the absolute immutability and efficacy of this divine command; it cannot be revoked, altered, or fail. It is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the reliability of His word, ensuring that the universe operates according to His perfect and unchanging will, just as God's faithfulness is established in the heavens.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 148:6, with its declaration of God's eternal establishment and unchangeable decree over creation, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that it was through Christ that all things were created, and by Him, all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 declares, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." This powerfully connects the "stablishing" and "decree" of the Old Testament to Christ as the active agent of creation and its ongoing sustenance. Furthermore, Hebrews 1:3 states that Christ "upholds all things by the word of his power," directly linking the divine decree that "shall not pass" to the very word of Christ's authority. He is the embodiment of God's unchanging nature and eternal purpose, the one through whom God's cosmic order is maintained and His ultimate plan for redemption unfolds, as God has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ. The stability of the heavens, established by God's decree, points to the steadfastness of the One who is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Thus, the cosmic order celebrated in Psalms 148:6 is not merely a testament to an abstract divine power, but a continuous witness to the Lordship and enduring faithfulness of Jesus Christ, the one through whom God's eternal decree finds its perfect and unwavering expression.