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Psalm 148 Bible study: Praise the LORD from the heavens
Psalm 148 calls the heavens to praise, then the earth, and gives each a reason in the same Hebrew words: "Let them praise the LORD’s name, for" (148:5, 148:13). And its "lightning" (148:8) is esh, the Hebrew word for fire, doing what Psalm 103:20 says the angels do: fulfilling his word.
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“Let them praise the LORD’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.”
Try it · Did you catch it?
“Psalm 148 begins and ends with the words "Praise the LORD!"”
Is that in Psalm 148, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
From the heavens, then from the earth
Psalm 148 has two calls, and a reason after each. It begins, "Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him in the heights!" (148:1), and names who is there: the angels and the army, sun and moon, the stars, the heavens of heavens and the waters above them (148:2-4). Then the first reason: "Let them praise the LORD’s name, for he commanded, and they were created" (148:5). Halfway through, it begins again: "Praise the LORD from the earth" (148:7). This time it names the sea creatures and the depths, the weather, the mountains and trees, the animals and birds, and then people, from kings to children (148:7-12). Then the second reason, which opens with the same Hebrew words as the first, Let them praise the LORD’s name, for: "Let them praise the LORD’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens" (148:13). The heavens come first and the earth second, and the last reason has both.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Psalm 148
That was a taste
The rest of Psalm 148 is waiting in Favor
- "Praise", and "all"
- Kings and children
- Psalm 148 and Genesis 1
- "Every created thing"
- 7 questions as you read
- 13 more Hebrew words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Psalm 148 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Hebrew word behind it
הָלַלhalalsay ha-LAL
Brown-Driver-Briggs gives the verb as "be boastful", and in its intensive form "praise". Strong's: "causatively, to celebrate". Psalm 148 has it 12 times in Hebrew. The first verse has it three times: "Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him in the heights!" (148:1). Then Praise him five more times in 148:2-4, Let them praise the LORD’s name twice (148:5, 148:13), "Praise the LORD from the earth" (148:7), and "Praise the LORD!" once more at the very end (148:14). The praise of "the praise of all his saints" (148:14) is another word (tap praise there). Psalm 113's and Psalm 135's notes follow the verb through their own first verses (Psalm 113:1, Psalm 135:1).
For your group
Psalm 148 Bible study questions
- 1Psalm 148 calls on the stars, the sea creatures, the snow and the cedars to praise the LORD (148:3, 148:7-9). What part of what God made most moves you to praise him?
- 2"both young men and maidens, old men and children" (148:12). Who of a very different age from you could you praise God alongside this week?
- 3"He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away" (148:6). The psalm says this of the heavens and all in them. What does it mean to you?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Psalm 148 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
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Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
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Can I read Psalm 148 straight away?
Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Psalm 148 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
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No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home