Psalm 148:3-4

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon - The meaning of this address and all others to inanimate nature, is this: Every work of God's hand partakes so much of his perfections, that it requires only to be studied and known, in order to show forth the manifold wisdom power, and goodness of the Creator. Stars of light - The brightest and most luminous stars: probably the planets may be especially intended. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:4

Heavens of heavens - Heavens exceeding heavens. Systems of systems extending as far beyond the solar system, as it does beyond the lowest deeps. The endless systematic concatenation of worlds. Ye waters that be above the heavens - This refers to Genesis 1:7 ; (note), where see the notes. Clouds, vapours, air, exhalations, rain, Snow, and meteors of every kind. 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

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

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 148:3

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

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