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In the KJVVerse 16,381 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 148:9 forms a vital part of a grand cosmic symphony of praise, specifically calling upon the enduring and life-giving elements of the earth's natural landscape to glorify the Lord. This verse, "Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:", encapsulates the majestic and diverse terrestrial components, emphasizing that even the seemingly inanimate aspects of creation are active participants in declaring the Creator's awesome power, wisdom, and sustaining presence. It serves as a profound reminder that all things, from the loftiest peaks to the most ancient trees, bear witness to the divine hand that fashioned them.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 148:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of universal praise. Merism is evident in the pairing of "mountains, and all hills" and "fruitful trees, and all cedars." By naming the highest and lowest (or most common) examples within a category, the psalmist implies the entirety of that category is included. This technique ensures a comprehensive scope, indicating that all elevated landforms and all types of trees are summoned to praise. Personification is central to the psalm's overall theme, as inanimate objects like mountains, hills, and trees are depicted as actively participating in worship. They are given agency to "praise the Lord," suggesting a natural, inherent response to their Creator's glory. This device elevates the natural world beyond mere scenery, imbuing it with a spiritual awareness that silently testifies to God. Furthermore, Imagery is richly used, painting vivid pictures of towering mountains, rolling hills, lush fruit-bearing trees, and majestic cedars. These images evoke a sense of grandeur, stability, provision, and beauty, all pointing to the magnificent attributes of the divine Artist. The selection of these specific elements also functions as Symbolism, where mountains represent permanence and power, fruitful trees symbolize life and sustenance, and cedars embody majesty and endurance, each contributing to a multifaceted portrayal of God's glory reflected in His creation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 148:9 profoundly articulates the theological truth that creation itself is a testament to God's glory and power, serving as a constant, silent sermon on His attributes. This verse, by summoning mountains, hills, and trees to praise, underscores the inherent purpose of all created things to reflect their Maker. It reminds us that God's presence is not confined to sacred spaces or human institutions but is woven into the very fabric of the universe. This universal call to worship implies that humanity's praise is not an isolated act but a conscious joining of a cosmic chorus, a recognition of our place within God's grand design. The enduring nature of mountains and the life-giving capacity of trees speak to God's faithfulness and sustaining power, inviting a deeper sense of awe and reverence for the Creator who not only brought all things into being but continues to uphold them.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 148:9 serves as a profound invitation for us to recalibrate our perspective on the world around us and our place within it. If the towering mountains, the gentle hills, the life-giving fruitful trees, and the majestic cedars are all, in their very existence, offering a ceaseless hymn of praise to their Creator, how much more should we, as beings endowed with consciousness, reason, and the capacity for worship, join this magnificent chorus? This verse challenges us to move beyond a utilitarian view of nature and to see it as a vibrant, living testimony to God's power, wisdom, and goodness. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of awe and gratitude, recognizing that every sunrise, every blossoming tree, and every enduring landscape is a fresh declaration of divine glory. Our response should be one of humble adoration, inspired by creation's silent yet eloquent praise, leading us to intentional worship, responsible stewardship of the earth, and a deeper appreciation for the God who sustains all things.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why do inanimate objects like mountains and trees "praise" God?
Answer: In the biblical worldview, "praise" from inanimate objects is not understood as verbal articulation but as a silent, inherent testimony to their Creator's glory. Their very existence, their intricate design, their enduring nature, and their provision of life and beauty all point to the magnificent power and wisdom of God. As Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." The mountains stand tall, the trees bear fruit, and the cedars endure, all fulfilling the purpose for which they were created, thereby bringing honor and glory to their Maker. Their "praise" is a continuous, undeniable demonstration of God's attributes, making His presence known throughout the earth.
What is the significance of "fruitful trees" and "cedars" specifically being mentioned?
Answer: The mention of "fruitful trees" highlights God's role as Provider and Sustainer. These trees yield sustenance and life, symbolizing God's generosity and the blessing He bestows through creation. "Cedars," particularly the cedars of Lebanon, were renowned for their immense size, strength, longevity, and durability. They symbolize majesty, endurance, and often, righteousness or divine favor in scripture (e.g., Psalm 92:12). By including these specific types of trees, the psalmist emphasizes both the practical, life-giving aspects of nature and its most magnificent, enduring, and awe-inspiring elements, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the terrestrial world's praise.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 148:9 calls creation to praise God the Creator, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the New Testament revelation that Jesus Christ is not only the agent through whom all things were created but also the ultimate recipient and embodiment of all creation's praise. Colossians 1:16 declares that "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." Thus, the mountains, hills, fruitful trees, and cedars of Psalm 148:9 find their origin and purpose in Christ. He is the sustaining power "upholding all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3). Furthermore, the praise offered by creation foreshadows the ultimate worship directed towards the Lamb of God, who is worthy to receive "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" from "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea" (Revelation 5:12-13). In Christ, the silent testimony of creation becomes a vibrant, redemptive narrative, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where all things are reconciled to God through Him (Colossians 1:20).