Side by side
Psalm 148
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: Praise From the HeavensVerses 1 to 6
"Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places" (148:1).
Hallelujah means "Praise the LORD!"
"Praise Him, all His angels" (148:2).
"Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars" (148:3).
Why should they? "For He gave the command and they were created" (148:5).
1Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. 2Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. 3Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. 4Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies. 5Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created. 6He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.
Section 2: Praise From the EarthVerses 7 to 12
Now the psalm comes down to earth.
Sea creatures and ocean depths. Lightning, hail, snow, and wind.
Mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars.
Wild animals and cattle, creeping things and birds.
Kings and rulers, and every person.
"Young men and maidens, old and young together" (148:12).
7Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, 8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, 9mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds, 11kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth, 12young men and maidens, old and young together.
Section 3: His Name AloneVerses 13 to 14
"Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted" (148:13).
"His splendor is above the earth and the heavens" (148:13).
God is above everything, and yet he has made his people "a people near to Him" (148:14).
13Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 14He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!
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