Psalm 148

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 148

This psalm is a most solemn and earnest call to all the creatures, according to their capacity, to praise their Creator, and to show forth his eternal power and Godhead, the invisible things of which are manifested in the things that are seen. Thereby the psalmist designs to express his great affection to the duty of praise; he is highly satisfied that God is praised, is very desirous that he may be more praised, and therefore does all he can to engage all about him in this pleasant work, yea,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 148:1-6

We, in this dark and depressed world, know but little of the world of light and exaltation, and, conversing within narrow confines, can scarcely admit any tolerable conceptions of the vast regions above. But this we know, I. That there is above us a world of blessed angels by whom God is praised, an innumerable company of them. Thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him; and it is his glory that he has such attendants, but much more his glory... read more

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 148 This psalm seems to have been written about the same time, and by the same person, as the preceding; even by the psalmist David, when he was in profound peace, and at rest from all his enemies; and the kingdom of Israel was in a well settled and prosperous condition, both with respect to things civil and ecclesiastical, as appears from Psalm 148:14 . And as it may respect future time, the times of the Messiah, of whom David was a type, it will have its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:1

Praise ye the Lord ,.... Or, hallelujah: which, in some versions, and with some interpreters, is the title of the psalm; expressive of the subject matter of it, the praise of the Lord; and is an exhortation of all creatures to it; praise ye the Lord from the heavens ; that is, those that are of the heavens; let their praises of the Lord, of his perfections, works, and benefits, resound from thence; the angels of heaven particularly, who have their habitation and residence there, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels ,.... The Targum adds, who minister before him: the ministering spirits, the angels of Jehovah, even of Christ, who are his creatures, and at his command; and whom he sends forth to minister to others, Hebrews 1:7 . And great numbers there are of them, thousands and tens of thousands, yea, an innumerable company; and all of them are under obligation to praise the Lord for their creation: for invisible spirits, as well as visible bodies, even the celestial... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon ,.... The sun praises the Lord, the Creator of it, by doing the work constantly it is appointed to do; to rule by day, and give light and heat to the earth, and the inhabitants of it; and so is the cause of man's praising the Lord for the benefits they receive from it; for its enlightening, warming, and refreshing rays; and for the precious fruits brought forth by it and so the moon likewise doing its office, ruling by night, and reflecting the light of the sun... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:4

Praise him, ye heaven of heavens ,.... All the heavens, the airy and starry heavens; and the third heaven, the residence of God, angels and saints: these are made by the Lord, and declare the glory of his power, wisdom, and goodness, and show forth his handiwork, Psalm 19:1 . A voice was heard from heaven, praising Jehovah the Son, when on earth in our nature; a cloud of the lower heavens received him when he went from hence, and in the clouds thereof he will come again: the highest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:5

Let them praise the name of the Lord ,.... Set forth the glory of the nature and perfections of God, and celebrate the praise of them; even all celestial creatures, the angels, the hosts of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars; the heavens, and the haven of heavens, and the waters above them; and that for the following reasons; for he commanded, and they were created ; they are all his creatures, and therefore should praise him: he is the "Father of spirits", of angelic spirits, as well as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:6

He hath also stablished them for ever and ever ,.... The angels are made immortal, and shall never die; and they are confirmed in their state of happiness by Christ, and shall always continue in it; the hosts of heaven being created by him, consist in him, and will remain as long as the world does; hence the duration and never-failing state of other things, even of good men and their felicity, are expressed by them; see Psalm 72:5 ; he hath made a decree which shall not pass ;... read more

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