Psalms
Chapter 148
1
Hallelujah! 1 Praise the LORD from the heavens; give praise in the heights.
2
Praise him, all you angels; give praise, all you hosts.
3
Praise him, sun and moon; give praise, all shining stars.
4
2 Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens.
5
Let them all praise the LORD'S name; for the LORD commanded and they were created,
6
Assigned them duties forever, gave them tasks that will never change.
7
Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deep waters;
8
You lightning and hail, snow and clouds, storm winds that fulfill his command;
9
You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;
10
You animals wild and tame, you creatures that crawl and fly;
11
You kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all who govern on earth;
12
Young men and women too, old and young alike.
13
Let them all praise the LORD'S name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic above earth and heaven.
14
3 The LORD has lifted high the horn of his people; to the glory of all the faithful, of Israel, the people near to their God. Hallelujah!
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Footnotes

1 [Psalm 148] A hymn inviting the beings of heaven (Psalm 148:1-6) and of earth (Psalm 148:7-14) to praise God. The hymn does not distinguish between inanimate and animate (and rational) nature.

2 [4] Highest heavens: literally, "the heavens of the heavens," i.e., the space above the firmament, where the "upper waters" are stored. Cf Genesis 1:6-7; Deut 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 104:3, 13.

3 [14] The LORD has lifted high the horn of his people: horn = strength, the concrete noun for the abstract. Of all peoples God has chosen Israel to return praise and thanks in a special way.


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