Psalm 148
Let everything praise the LORD
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Psalm 148 calls everything God made to praise him: angels in heaven, the sun, moon, and stars, sea creatures, lightning and hail, snow and wind, mountains and trees, wild animals and cattle, kings and all peoples, young men and maidens, old and young together. They should all praise the LORD, because he created them by his command and his name alone is exalted.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 148
Before You Read
What it is. A giant choir of praise. Psalm 148 calls everything God made to praise him: angels and stars, sea monsters and snow, mountains and trees, kings and children.
Who wrote it. It doesn't say. It's one of the five "Hallelujah psalms" that end the book of Psalms (146-150).
When the church sings it. On the First Sunday of Christmas.
How to read it. Picture each thing as it's named. Imagine hail praising God.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Praise From the Heavens | 148:1-6 | Angels, sun, moon, and stars |
| 2. Praise From the Earth | 148:7-12 | Sea creatures, weather, mountains, animals, and people |
| 3. His Name Alone | 148:13-14 | God is above all, and near his people |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3Praise From the Heavens
"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).
Section 2 of 3Praise From the Earth
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).
Section 3 of 3His Name Alone
"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).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Hallelujah!" (148:1) | Praise the LORD! |
| "He gave the command and they were created" (148:5) | God made everything with a word. |
| "Powerful wind fulfilling His word" (148:8) | Even the weather does what God says. |
| "Old and young together" (148:12) | Everyone is invited to praise. |
| "His name alone is exalted" (148:13) | Only God deserves this praise. |
| "A people near to Him" (148:14) | The great God is close to his people. |
Back Then
Other nations worshiped the sun, moon, and stars as gods. Psalm 148 says they are creatures that praise the true God.
Saint Francis of Assisi wrote a famous hymn inspired by this psalm, "All Creatures of Our God and King."
Literal Reader Alert
How can snow praise God? By being what God made it to be. Creation praises God just by existing and doing what he commands.
Why sing this at Christmas? At Christmas, the Creator became part of his creation. All creation has a reason to sing.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| All creation | Joyful | Everything praises the LORD |
| God's people | Close to God | They are a people near to him (148:14) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Join the choir. Tap one.
I'm looking at the sky
Sun, moon, and stars praise him. Join them.
I'm young
Young men and maidens, praise him!
I'm old
Old and young together, praise him.
I'm having a hard day
Even hail and snow praise him. You can too.
You Might Have Heard
"Nature is just an accident."
What's true: Creation follows patterns and laws we can study.
What the passage is mainly about: "He gave the command and they were created" (148:5). Everything was made by God, and everything is called to praise him.
Where Jesus is: All things were made through him (John 1:3). At Christmas, he became one of us.
Good News
The God who made the stars is near to you.
"Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted" (148:13).
He rules over everything, and he calls his people "near to Him."
All creation, from angels to sea creatures to children, is called to praise the LORD, because he made everything and keeps his people near.
Big Idea
Hallelujah! Everything God made, from the angels and stars to the snow, animals, and people, old and young together, is called to praise the LORD.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther says, "I believe that God has made me and all creatures." He saw every gift of creation as a reason to thank and praise God.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 148 on the First Sunday of Christmas in all three years, and on the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday of Christmas Year A · Year B · Year CPsalm, Psalm 148
- Fifth Sunday of Easter Year CPsalm, Psalm 148
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 148, explained in plain words. Angels and stars, sea creatures and snow, kings and children: everything God made is called to praise him. About 6 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-148/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church