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
Praise the Lord from the earth - From among those who dwell on the earth. In respect to terrestrial objects, let these also unite in the praise of God.Ye dragons - On the meaning of this word, see Psalms 91:13, note; Isaiah 13:22, note. The word may mean a great fish, a whale, a sea monster, or a serpent. It would seem to refer here to whales and sea monsters. See the notes at Revelation 12:3.And all deeps - All that are in the depths of the sea. Not merely the “dragons” or sea monsters, but... read more
Fire, and hail - Fire, when accompanied by hail; that is, the lightning. See Psalms 18:12.Snow, and vapors - Snow and clouds. It was not unnatural that these should be combined, or suggested together to the mind.Stormy wind - The storm; the tempest.Fulfilling his word - Obeying his command; accomplishing his purpose. Let the storm-wind, which seems to be so little under any control, speak his praise by showing how obedient it is to his will, and how exactly it carries out his designs. Its... read more
Psalms 148:7. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps “From heaven above the psalmist descends to the deep beneath, which, while it proclaims the power, observes the laws and decrees of him who made it, and poured it abroad. And the same may be said of its enormous inhabitants, which are under the command of Jehovah, and of none but him.” By dragons here, we may either understand serpents, which abide in the deep caverns or holes of the earth; or, rather, whales,... read more
Psalms 148:8. Fire Lightning, thunderbolts, fiery meteors, in which God shows his wonderful power, lighting up those powerful flames, even in cold regions, which are far removed from subterraneous fires. And the noise and stupendous effects of these fires, and especially of thunder and lightning, are such, that they have been justly termed, the voice of God, and the arrows of the almighty. Hail, snow, and vapour It is really wonderful, that from the same places where the hot lightnings... read more
Psalms 147-150 Praise the LordGod’s people should praise him constantly for his merciful and loving care: his care over them in particular (147:1-2), his care over those who sorrow (3), his care over all his creation (4), and his special care for the downtrodden (5-6). God delights to provide for the physical needs of his creatures (7-9). But of all his creatures, those he delights in most are those who humbly trust in his steadfast love (10-11). That is why he delights in Israel above other... read more
the earth. Note the change and see Structure above. dragons = sea monsters. read more
wind. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 . read more
Psalms 148:7. Praise the Lord from the earth— Praise the Lord, ye [or ye creatures] of the earth; ye sea-animals, or crocodiles, or whales, &c. And so the first verse should be rendered, praise the Lord, ye [or ye inhabitants] of the heavens; which are first enumerated, and then from this verse, the inhabitants of the earth. See Delaney's Life of David, book 1: chap. 17. REFLECTIONS.—1st, The Psalmist calls on heaven to begin the hallelujah, and earth must echo back the sound. 1. The... 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