Psalm 148 – Heaven

 October 13, 2026

Psalm 148 – heaven, begins by exhorting the highest places to praise the Lord. What can heaven tell us about our God?

Psalm 148

The third Hallelujah Psalm at the end of the book of Psalms, Psalm 148 – heaven starts with a call to praise from the heaven. Psalm 19 tells us “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Their very nature is one of praise. All in the heaven and on earth are to praise God.

“The psalmist considered that all heavenly beings and bodies should give praise to Yahweh. The God of Israel was not a local deity who only expected honor from Israel. He was and is God over all, and as such deserves such praise in the heights.” Psalm 148 Commentary: Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

“Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from heaven; praise him in the highest places.

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his armies!

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.” (1-4)

While the idea of creation praising God appears elsewhere in Scripture, this is the only mention of sun, moon, and stars.

“Though they have neither speech nor language, and [lack] the tongue of men, yet by their splendor and magnificence, their motions and their influences, all regulated and exerted according to the ordinance of their Maker, do, in a very intelligible and striking manner, declare the glory of God.” (Horne)” Psalm 148 Commentary: Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

Why are they to praise God? Because God created them.

“Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he himself gave the command that they be created.

He set them in place to last forever and ever; he gave the command and will not rescind it.” (5-6)

Creation on the Earth

The writer then names creatures on the earth, calling them to praise the Lord.

“Praise the LORD, you from the earth, you creatures of the sea and all you depths,

fire, hail, snow, fog, and wind storm that carry out his command,

mountains and every hill, fruit trees and cedars,

living creatures and livestock, insects and flying birds,

earthly kings and all peoples, nobles and all court officials of the earth,

young men and young women alike, along with older people and children.” (7-12)

God alone deserves this praise. “Yahweh deserves such praise from all things on earth because He alone is God. There is no other being that deserves the worship, honor, and praise that God deserves.” Psalm 148 Commentary: Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

“Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is lifted up; his majesty transcends earth and heaven.

He has raised up a source of strength for his people, an object of praise for all of his holy ones, that is, for the people of Israel who are near him. Hallelujah!” (13-14)

The psalm ends with a final command to praise our God. “The composer of Psalm 148 has persuaded us to do what we and all creation should do – give to Yahweh the praise due to Him. Hallelujah!” Psalm 148 Commentary: Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

Michigan Skies

When I was in my twenties, I spent a month at the Los Angelos Catholic Worker on skid row. Every morning there was no sunrise, just smog. It took all morning for the smog to burn away and finally expose the blue skies hidden behind the grey. How depressing, I thought, to not see the morning sunrise.

When in Arizona for my niece’s wedding years ago, I was struck by a full week of cloudless blue skies. Pretty, but after a while I missed my Michigan clouds.

Then this past summer, I spent my four days at my brother’s cottage confined inside while smoke from wildfires in Canada filled the sky. Not your typical Michigan sky.

God’s heaven can be as different as the countries it expands over. It changes each day, sometimes with every minute that passes. But Michigan skies are the best. My favorite part of each day is getting my morning cup of coffee and watching what Michigan skies have to offer. Sometimes there are brilliant sunrises, made all the more interesting because of layers of clouds reflecting back different shades of pink, red, orange, grey, and white. Sometimes those same clouds block my view. I wait for them to pass.

And overhead I see birds swooping, geese flying south, large black birds soaring far above, smaller birds coming to rest in my yard, digging up the grass in their search for worms, and the hummingbirds that buzz about the feeder. I hear the sound of Sandhill Cranes echoing and watch them strut about my neighborhood. Such is the beauty of Michigan skies.

God’s Heaven

Every day there is something new to see in God’s heaven. Sometimes I watch storm clouds gather in threatening layers. Others I watch clouds float by, changing shapes. The skies never remain the same, much like our awesome God.

“In summary, the concept of the heavens in the Bible encompasses both the physical and spiritual realms, serving as a testament to God’s creative power, sovereignty, and redemptive purposes. The heavens declare His glory, provide a metaphor for His transcendence, and play a crucial role in the narrative of salvation history.” Topical Bible: Heavens

God’s heaven even includes planets and solar systems beyond our imaginations. “Adam Clarke speculated that these heavens of heavens were of them being other planets or solar systems. “Heavens exceeding heavens. Systems of systems extending as far beyond the solar system.” Psalm 148 Commentary: Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

Psalm 148 – Heaven

In Psalm 148 – heaven, we are reminded that all creation, in the heavens and on earth, rightfully praises our God. This psalm reveals an awesome God found in the majesty and mystery of the sky and all of creation. All the more reason for us to join in the chorus of praise.

What inspires you to cry out Hallelujah to our God?

(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 148: All Creation Praise the Lord! – Patricia M Robertson)

This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series.      click here to sign up

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