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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:1

Verse 1 1.Praise Jehovah from the heavens He seems here to include the stars as well as the angels, and, therefore, heaven itself, the air, and all that is gendered in it; for afterwards a division is made when he first calls upon angels, then upon the stars, and the waters of the firmament. With regard to the angels, created as they were for this very end — that they might be instant in this religious service, we need not wonder that they should be placed first in order when the praises of God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

Verse 3 3.Praise him, ye sun and moon This passage gives no countenance to the dream of Plato, that the stars excel in sense and intelligence. Nor does the Psalmist give them the same place as he had just assigned to angels, but merely intimates that the glory of God is everywhere to be seen, as if they sang his praises with an audible voice. And here he tacitly reproves the ingratitude of man; for all would hear this symphony, were they at all attent upon considering the works of God. For doth... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:5

Verse 5 5.Let them praise the name, etc. As he speaks of things wanting intelligence, he passes to the third person, from which we infer that his reason for having spoken in the second person hitherto, was to make a deeper impression upon men. And he asks no other praise than that which may teach us that the stars did not make themselves, nor the rains spring from chance; for notwithstanding the signal proofs we constantly have before our eyes of the divine power, we with shameful carelessness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:1

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens ; i . e . beginning at the heavens, making them the primary source from which the praises are to be drawn (comp. Psalms 148:7 ). Praise him in the heights ; in excelsis (Vulgate). In the upper tenons, or the most exalted regions of his creation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:1-5

Nature's praise-voices. In this psalm, as in all the poetry of the Old Testament, there is nothing of the idea of something Divine in nature, or even of a Divine voice speaking through nature; all beings are simply creatures, knowing and praising him who made them. All nature has reason to praise the Creator who called it into being, and gave it its order so fair and so established, and poetically the universe may be imagined full of adoring creatures. With the psalmist's point of view... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:1-14

The tribute of creation. The psalmist writes in a very jubilant strain; his mood is that of exultation. The sunshine of prosperity is on his path, and consequently the spirit of sacred joy is in his heart, and words of praise upon his lips. He calls upon the whole universe to pay its tribute of praise to Jehovah. This includes— I. THE HEAVENLY INTELLIGENCES . ( Psalms 148:2 .) It is in full accord with all that we read in both the Old and the New Testament that we think of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels (comp. Psalms 103:20 , Psalms 103:21 ). As the angels occupy the first rank in creation, and have the most to praise God for, they are fitly called upon to commence the song of jubilation. The praises of God must form their chief occupation through all eternity. Praise ye him, all his hosts ; rather, all his host . In the "host of God" are included beings of inferior rank to angels—"ministers of his that do his pleasure" ( Psalms 103:21 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon . Objects of worship to most heathen nations, but here called upon to join in the chorus of praise to God. Praise him, all ye stars of light ; i . e . ye brilliant stars, that light up the heaven at night. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:4

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens ; i . e . "ye highest heavens" (comp. Deuteronomy 10:14 ; 1 Kings 8:27 ; Psalms 68:33 ). And ye waters that be above the heavens (comp. Genesis 1:7 ). The clouds are probably intended. read more

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