Psalm 148 is another psalm of exuberant praise, calling all creation to praise the Lord. The first half of the psalm looks at heavenly praise: ‘Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.’ (Ps 148:1) Angels, heavenly hosts, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens and waters above the heavens are all urged to praise the Lord. (Ps 148:2-4), with reasons for praising by these creatures and creations given (Ps 148:5-6).
It can be hard for us sometimes to think of heavenly praise, for it is beyond our natural understanding. Scripture makes it plain that God created all things (see Gen 1, Ps 33:6,9) and angelic praise is described in many parts of the Bible (e.g. Is 6:1-3, Rev 5:11-12). In the Old Testament, ‘heavens’ is used in different ways: Michael Wilcock says this psalm talks of the heavens in all sense of the word: ‘where the angels sing; where the stars shine; where the rain clouds fly.’ Ps 19:1 has already taught us that the heavens declare the glory of God (see also Ps 98:7-8, Is 55:12) and it is interesting to ponder how creation can ‘praise the Lord’, given that we associate this so often with verbal praise. Horne says, “Though they have neither speech nor language, and want the tongue of men, yet by their splendour 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.” However we interpret the ‘highest heavens’ (some believe this is a reference to planets and galaxies), this psalm leaves us in no doubt that all of creation is made by God (‘at His command they were created’ Ps 148:5) and are sustained by Him (‘he issued a decree that will never pass away’ Ps 148:6) Creation praises God by calling attention to all He has made, simply by ‘being’ what He meant it to be. That has huge implications for us too. Creation’s worship is both visible and constant, another reminder of what God wants our worship to be like. Worship, ultimately, involves surrender to God’s ways and focuses attention on Him. Many may exalt the created realm, marvelling at the wonders of astronomy and nature, but creation itself is called to honour God and praise Him.