Psalm 148:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 148:7-14

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, Ps. 148:7. As the rays of the sun, which are darted directly from heaven, reflect... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:8

Fire, and hail ,.... These, and what follow in this verse, are in the air, but are what are exhaled or drawn up from the earth or water; "fire" is lightning, which is very swift in its motion, and powerful in its effects; this is the fire which consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain; which in Elijah's time came down and destroyed the captains and their fifties; and which attended the Lord's appearance on Mount Sinai; when "the voice of his thunder was in the heaven, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:8

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours - All kinds of meteors, water, and fire, in all their forms and combinations. And air, whether in the gentle breeze, the gale, the whirlwind, the tempest, or the tornado; each accomplishing an especial purpose, and fulfilling a particular will of the Most High. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:1-14

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 148:7-8

The praise-voices of nature-forces. How poet-souls recognize the voices of nature may be illustrated by Milton's lines- "His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines, With every plant, in sign of worship wave!" What is peculiar to the psalmist is his recognizing signs of will in nature. He conceives of "stormy wind fulfilling his Word," voluntarily fulfilling it, and so an image of himself. It is a blending of poetic and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 148:8

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 148:8

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 148:8

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

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