Psalm 148:1-14, Common English Bible

One of the realities of our lives is that we belong to God. But not just humans, but all creation belongs to God. Neither the animals, the elements, or humanity, created itself. Contrary to popular belief, we really cannot sustain ourselves outside of God through Jesus Christ. King David, the Psalmist, declares for all the world to remember and make known, God’s praise.

In the poetic form, David begins and ends with the declaration of Praise the LORD! In modern day language, we could call it our pledge of allegiance to God. Our allegiance is not dependent on anything but an acknowledgment of the greatness of God! Our praise belongs to God!

Praise is the simple response to God’s presence! David declares that all creation belongs to God! And David begins with the things that are above and ends with the things below. Toward the end of the year, all humanity is to do a roll call of praise by recognizing that…

Praise is demonstrative on earth and heaven!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from heaven! Praise God on the heights! Praise God, all of you who are his messengers! Praise God, all of you who comprise his heavenly forces! Sun and moon, praise God! All of you bright stars, praise God!   Psalm 148:1-3

Even the earthly elements Praise the LORD!
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all you ocean depths! Do the same, fire and hail, snow and smoke, stormy wind that does what God says! Do the same, you mountains, every single hill, fruit trees, and every single cedar! Do the same, you animals—wild or tame you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly!   Psalm 148:7-10

People are called to Praise God’s Holy name!
Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person, you princes and every single ruler on earth! Do the same, you young men—young women too!—you who are old together with you who are young! Praise God’s holy name! Let all of these praise the Lord’s name because only God’s name is high over all. Only God’s majesty is over earth and heaven. God raised the strength of his people, the praise of all his faithful ones—that’s the Israelites, the people who are close to him. Praise the Lord!   Psalm 148:11-14

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“Let’s just Praise the LORD!”