Psalm 148:1 Study Bible: Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens. Praise him in the heights.

◄ Psalm 148:1 ►

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places.

Hallelujah!
The word "Hallelujah" is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase "Hallelu Yah," which means "Praise the LORD." This exclamation is a call to worship and is often used to express joy and gratitude towards God. The term "Yah" is a shortened form of "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. In the context of Psalm 148, "Hallelujah" serves as an invitation to all creation to join in the worship of the Creator, setting the tone for the entire psalm.

Praise the LORD
The phrase "Praise the LORD" is a directive to honor and glorify God. The Hebrew word for "praise" is "halal," which means to boast or to shine. This suggests that praising God involves not only words but also actions that reflect His glory. The use of "LORD" in all capital letters indicates the translation of "Yahweh," the personal name of God, highlighting His relationship with His people. This call to praise is not just for individuals but for all of creation, acknowledging God's sovereignty and majesty.

from the heavens
The phrase "from the heavens" indicates the starting point of this universal call to worship. In Hebrew, "heavens" is "shamayim," which refers to the sky, the abode of celestial bodies, and the dwelling place of God. This suggests that praise should originate from the highest realms, encompassing both the physical and spiritual dimensions. The heavens are often seen as a testament to God's creative power and glory, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 19:1, which declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God."

praise Him
The repetition of "praise Him" emphasizes the importance and urgency of worshiping God. It serves as a reminder that all creation is called to acknowledge God's greatness. The act of praising is not just a duty but a privilege, allowing believers to participate in the divine purpose of glorifying God. This call to praise is inclusive, inviting all beings, both celestial and terrestrial, to join in the chorus of worship.

in the highest places
The phrase "in the highest places" refers to the exalted realms beyond the earthly sphere. In Hebrew, "highest places" can be understood as "heights" or "exalted places," suggesting the loftiest parts of creation. This indicates that God's praise is not confined to the earth but extends to the entire universe. It reflects the biblical theme of God's transcendence, as He is above all creation, yet intimately involved with it. This call to praise from the highest places underscores the comprehensive nature of worship, encompassing all levels of existence.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure of the Psalm, Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature.

2. Heavens
The realm above the earth, often seen as the dwelling place of God and the angels, representing the vastness and majesty of God's creation.

3. Highest Places
This term can refer to the highest heavens or celestial realms, indicating the supreme and exalted nature of God's presence.

Teaching Points

Universal Call to Worship
The psalm begins with a call to "Hallelujah," meaning "Praise the LORD." This is a universal call, inviting all of creation, starting from the heavens, to join in worship. It reminds us that worship is not limited to human beings but is a cosmic activity.

The Majesty of God
By calling for praise from the heavens and the highest places, the psalm emphasizes God's majesty and sovereignty over all creation. This should inspire awe and reverence in our worship.

Heavenly Perspective
The focus on the heavens and highest places encourages believers to adopt a heavenly perspective in their daily lives, seeking to align their actions and thoughts with God's eternal purposes.

Continuous Praise
The structure of the psalm suggests that praise is an ongoing activity. As believers, we are called to live lives of continuous worship, acknowledging God's presence and work in every aspect of our lives.

Community of Worship
The call to praise from the heavens includes all celestial beings, reminding us that worship is a communal activity. We join with the angels and all of creation in glorifying God, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the call to praise from the heavens in Psalm 148:1 influence your understanding of worship as a cosmic activity?

2. In what ways can you incorporate a heavenly perspective into your daily life, as suggested by the focus on the "highest places"?

3. How does recognizing the majesty of God in creation impact your personal worship and relationship with Him?

4. What are some practical ways you can engage in continuous praise throughout your day?

5. How can the concept of a community of worship, including both earthly and heavenly beings, enhance your experience of corporate worship in your church or community?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 103:20-22
This passage also calls on the angels and all of creation to praise the LORD, emphasizing the universal call to worship.

Revelation 5:11-13
In this vision, all creatures in heaven and on earth join in worship, echoing the call of Psalm 148 for all creation to praise God.

Isaiah 6:1-3
The seraphim in the heavenly temple continually praise God, highlighting the eternal nature of worship in the highest places.

Sermons

Nature's Praise-Voices	R. Tuck	Psalm 148:1-5
The Great, the Greater, and the Greatest	David Thomas, D. D.	Psalm 148:1-14

People

Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Hallelujah, Heavens, Heights, Hights, Jah, Places, Praise, Praised, Skies, Yah

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 148:1-2

8623 worship, of God

Psalm 148:1-5

     4026   world, God's creation
     4114   angels, and praise
     5763   attitudes, positive to God

Library

That Worthy Name.
James ii:7. IN the second chapter of the Epistle of James the Holy Spirit speaks of our ever blessed Lord as "that worthy Name." Precious Word! precious to every heart that knows Him and delights to exalt His glorious and worthy Name. His Name is "far above every Name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." (Ephes. i:21.) It is "as ointment poured forth" (Song of Sol. i:3); yea, His Name alone is excellent (Psalm cxlviii:13). But according to His worth that blessed …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Sexagesima Sunday Let them Praise the Name of the Lord for his Name Alone is Excellent; his Glory is Above the Earth and Heaven.
Let them praise the name of the Lord for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. Keine Schönheit hat die Welt [66]Angelus. 1657. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 Nothing fair on earth I see But I straightway think on Thee; Thou art fairest in mine eyes, Source in whom all beauty lies! When the golden sun forth goes, And the east before him glows, Quickly turns this heart of mine To Thy heavenly form divine. On Thy light I think at morn, With the earliest break …
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

Universal Worship. --Ps. cxlviii.
Universal Worship.--Ps. cxlviii. Heralds of creation! cry,-- Praise the Lord, the Lord most high! Heaven and earth! obey the call, Praise the Lord, the Lord of all. For He spake, and forth from night Sprang the universe to light: He commanded,--Nature heard, And stood fast upon his word. Praise Him, all ye hosts above, Spirits perfected in love; Sun and Moon! your voices raise, Sing, ye stars! your Maker's praise. Earth! from all thy depths below, Ocean's hallelujahs flow, Lightning, Vapour, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Purposes of God.
In discussing this subject I shall endeavor to show, I. What I understand by the purposes of God. Purposes, in this discussion, I shall use as synonymous with design, intention. The purposes of God must be ultimate and proximate. That is, God has and must have an ultimate end. He must purpose to accomplish something by his works and providence, which he regards as a good in itself, or as valuable to himself, and to being in general. This I call his ultimate end. That God has such an end or purpose, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Royal Marriage Feast.
PART I.--THE WEDDING GUESTS. "And Jesus answered, and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
(Near Bethlehem, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 8-20. ^c 8 And there were shepherds in the same country [they were in the same fields from which David had been called to tend God's Israel, or flock] abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. [When the flock is too far from the village to lead it to the fold at night, these shepherds still so abide with it in the field, even in the dead of winter.] 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them [He stood upon the earth at their side, and did …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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