Fire and hail. By "fire," in this combination, we must understand "lightning," or rather the various electrical phenomena accompanying storms in the East, which are sometimes very strange and terrible. Snow and vapors ; rather, vapor . The mist so often accompanying snowstorms is probably the "vapor" intended. Stormy wind fulfilling his word (comp. Psalms 107:25 ). read more
Mountains, and all hills . The later psalmists are great admirers of" mountains." Perhaps the fiat and monotonous Babylonian plains led them to appreciate the beauties of a landscape like that of Palestine (comp. Psalms 83:14 ; Psalms 114:4 , Psalms 114:6 ; Psalms 144:5 ; Psalms 147:8 ). Fruitful trees ; rather, fruit trees ; literally, trees of fruit . The Babylonian palms may have swept across the writer's remembrance; but probably the vine, the olive, and the fig,... read more
Beasts, and all cattle . There is a gradual ascent—from inanimate to animate things, from the "beasts" of the field to domesticated animals; from such animals to man ( Psalms 148:11 , Psalms 148:12 ). Creeping things (comp. Genesis 1:24 , Genesis 1:25 , Genesis 1:30 ; Psalms 104:25 ). And flying fowl ; literally, bird of wing . The intention is to include, under a few heads, all animate creation. read more
Kings of the earth, and all people ; rather, all peoples ; or, all nations . Princes, and all judges of the earth . "Kings," "princes," and "judges" represent the upper classes of society; "peoples," or "nations," all the remainder. Together, they include the whole race of mankind. read more
The leaders of the nature-choir. The Church appears as the choir-leader of the universe. "Both sexes and all ages are summoned to the blessed service of song. Those who usually make merry together are to be devoutly joyful together; those who make up the ends of families, that is to say, the elders and the juveniles, should make the Lord their one and only End. Old men should, by their experience, teach the children to praise; and children, by their cheerfulness, should excite old men to... read more
Both young men, and maidens ; old men, and children . All mar. bind, i . e ; of each sex and of every age. The obligation to praise God lies upon all. read more
Let them praise the Name of the Lord . This is the burden of the entire psalm (see especially Psalms 148:5 , and comp. Psalms 148:1-4 , Psalms 148:7 , and Psalms 148:14 ). For his Name alone is excellent ; or, "exalted" (comp. Psalms 8:1 ; Isaiah 12:4 ). The exaltation of God's Name is effected mainly by the praises which his rational creatures render to him. His glory is above the earth and heaven . (On God's "glory," see Psalms 8:1 ; Psalms 19:1 ; Psalms 57:5 , ... read more
He also exalteth the horn of his people . Great as God is, his greatness does not separate him from his human creatures. On the contrary, it makes the union between himself and them closer. His might enables him to confer benefits on his people—to "exalt their horn;" i . e . to increase their glory and their strength, and set them up above their enemies. The praise of all his saints. The construction is doubtful. Some regard "praise" as in apposition with "horn," and understand that... read more
Praise inspired by personal experience. "And he hath lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints." The figure of the horn is a familiar one, and need not be again explained. What is noticeable here is that the supreme subject of praise for man is God ' s personal dealing with him in the sphere of his moral and religious life. This we refer to as a man's personal experience. I. PRAISE INSPIRED BY THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD 'S PROVIDENCE .... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:7-14
The Creator and his creatures. "The psalmist calls upon the whole creation, in its two great divisions of heaven and earth, to praise God. Things with and things without life, things rational and irrational, are summoned to join the mighty chorus. The psalm is an expression of the loftiest devotion, and embraces the most comprehensive view of the relation of the creature to the Creator." I. IRRATIONAL CREATURES OF THE SEA , LAND , AND AIR ARE BIDDEN INTO THE ... read more