How does the psalm’s call for all creatures to praise God align with extinct animals or undiscovered species? (Psalm 148:7, 10)

Definition of the Call to Praise

Psalm 148:7 declares: “Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths”, and verse 10 continues, “wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds”. These verses extend a universal call to worship that is not confined to humankind alone; rather, it includes every living being and element of creation. Such expressions of praise epitomize the psalmist’s view that the entire cosmos—visible and invisible, known and yet-to-be-discovered—owes its existence to the Creator and lifts its voice in acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.

Biblical Context of All Creatures Praising

The theme of every creature praising God is woven throughout Scripture. In Genesis 1, we see that God creates all living things, endowing them with the capacity to fulfill their God-given purpose. Job 38–41 also highlights God’s dominion over all creatures, even those beyond human understanding. When Psalm 148 poetically calls upon various forms of life to praise, it alludes to the comprehensive scope of God’s creation, suggesting that everything under heaven—whether or not we currently observe it—testifies to His glory.

Inclusion of Extinct Animals

Although Scripture often speaks of animals familiar to the authors’ culture, these texts remain relevant for creatures that existed in the past. Extinct species, such as dinosaurs, mammoths, or other forms of prehistoric life, are part of the totality of creation described in Genesis 1: “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds…’”. While these animals no longer roam the earth, their existence, preserved in the fossil record, still points to the creative power behind them. Some commentators connect the references to “Behemoth” (Job 40:15–24) and “Leviathan” (Job 41:1–34) with large, mighty creatures, possibly hinting at animals humans rarely see or cannot see at all, reminding us of the vast diversity of God’s design.

From an archaeological and geological standpoint, the fossil record—composed of remains once teeming with life—speaks to the variety and richness of creatures that once inhabited the earth. Their presence in the geological layers is, from this viewpoint, evidence of the breadth of divine creativity, and just as the psalmist calls living animals to praise, extinct creatures have in their own era testified to the artistry and majesty of their Maker.

Inclusion of Undiscovered Species

Modern science continues to reveal new species each year—both in remote rainforests and deep ocean trenches—underscoring the seemingly limitless scope of biodiversity. Psalm 148:7, 10 implicitly acknowledges that all living things, even those unknown to humanity, bear witness to God’s handiwork. These creatures, whether discovered tomorrow or centuries from now, reside under the psalm’s summons to glorify the Creator.

Even at present, countless organisms have not been categorized or observed. Yet this fact does not exclude them from the psalm’s universal invitation. Their intricate design, harmonious ecological roles, and sheer existence are seen as acts of worship in themselves, aligning with Romans 1:20, which affirms that Creation displays God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature.

Philosophical and Theological Principles

1. Purpose in Creation: Each creature exists to manifest the glory of its Creator. Whether it roamed the earth in ages past or lives hidden in unexplored habitats, every species accomplishes the divine purpose of reflecting God’s creative capacity.

2. Eternal Perspective: The ultimate sovereignty of the Creator crosses all temporal and physical boundaries, meaning that praise belongs to God whether or not human beings are aware of, or present with, each creature.

3. Harmony of Scripture: The uniform testimony of Scripture indicates that all that has breath (and even beyond breath, to all cosmic forces) praises the Lord. This unity is observed from Genesis, through the Psalms, and into the New Testament perspective on creation eagerly awaiting redemption (Romans 8:19–22).

Practical Implications for Understanding Extinction and Discovery

1. Respect for Scientific Inquiry: Observing extinct civilizations or fossilized remains of ancient creatures can deepen appreciation for the diversity of God’s creative acts. Far from undermining biblical teaching, such discoveries can reinforce a sense of awe at His limitless power and wisdom.

2. Humility in Discovery: Each new species identified should prompt humility and praise—there is more to creation than we have yet beheld. This soul-stirring realization invites worship and acknowledges our finite understanding.

3. Active Praise in the Present: Even though extinct animals no longer walk the earth, and undiscovered species remain hidden, humanity today can learn from their testimony. We, who are called to be stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:28), join in this grand chorus directed to the Creator.

Archaeological Corroboration and Historical Acknowledgment

Over the years, numerous archaeological findings have underscored the Bible’s historical trustworthiness, from the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirming ancient scriptural texts to the unearthing of cultural artifacts mentioned in biblical contexts. Though such digs do not directly confirm the act of creation in a laboratory sense, they illuminate records that align with Scripture’s emphasis on authenticity.

In the same way that archaeological evidence supports biblical history, the widespread fossil record can be viewed as an exhibition of life’s expansive chronology—whether one interprets the timeline within a younger earth framework or otherwise. Insofar as extinct creatures are found in sedimentary layers consistent with catastrophic burial, some point to events like the global flood of Genesis 6–9 (a perspective held in many circles advocating a young earth interpretation). These geological features, for those who hold such a view, further support the notion that God is firmly in control of creation’s story.

Summary of Alignment

Extinct animals, having once inhabited the earth, and undiscovered species, currently beyond our knowledge, both fit under Psalm 148’s universal chorus. The psalmist’s language is not a restricted invitation, but a universal summons for all created beings to honor the One who called them into existence. Although extinction or hidden habitats prevent today’s direct observation, nothing in Scripture limits God’s creative scope to the visible or the known.

Every creature—past, present, and future—has a place in this grand narrative of praise. From colossal sea creatures in the depths of the ocean to the silent footprints of species long ago, all creation is woven into a tapestry revealing its Author. In so doing, they fulfill the words of Psalm 148:7, 10, eternally calling generation after generation to join in declaring the glory of God.