Psalms 148:1

Authorized King James Version

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Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Original Language Analysis

הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise H1984
הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 1 of 9
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
יָ֨הּ׀ ye the LORD H3050
יָ֨הּ׀ ye the LORD
Strong's: H3050
Word #: 2 of 9
jah, the sacred name
הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise H1984
הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 3 of 9
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְ֭הוָה ye the LORD H3068
יְ֭הוָה ye the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 6 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַשָּׁמַ֑יִם from the heavens H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֑יִם from the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 7 of 9
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise H1984
הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ Praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 8 of 9
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
בַּמְּרוֹמִֽים׃ him in the heights H4791
בַּמְּרוֹמִֽים׃ him in the heights
Strong's: H4791
Word #: 9 of 9
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse opens the psalm with a cosmic call to praise: 'Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.' The initial 'Praise ye the LORD' (Halelu et YHWH) establishes the imperative, while 'from the heavens' (min hashamayim) begins to expand the scope of who should praise. 'In the heights' (be'mromim, literally 'in the high places') refers to the celestial realms. The verse calls heavenly beings - angels, stars, cosmic powers - to participate in praising God. This is not metaphorical but ontologically real in biblical cosmology: the heavens and their inhabitants exist to glorify God. The doubling of the command emphasizes its significance. By beginning with celestial praise, the psalm establishes that worship transcends earthly and temporal concerns - it is woven into the very fabric of creation. The 'heights' may refer to God's dwelling place, or to the cosmic realms in general. Either way, the verse asserts that all creation, beginning with the highest and most exalted, participates in universal praise.

Historical Context

Ancient cosmology envisioned heavens (shamayim) as inhabited by divine servants and celestial bodies. Isaiah 6:1-3 depicts the seraphim in the temple praising God ('Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory'). The psalms frequently call angels and heavenly hosts to praise (Psalms 29:1, 103:20). This reflects a theological cosmology where all creation, visible and invisible, participates in praising God. During the Babylonian exile (when Psalm 148 was likely composed or compiled), Babylonian astrology was prominent. The psalm subversively claims that the heavenly bodies and celestial realms, which pagans believed controlled human fate, are actually creatures subject to God's praise. The emphasis on heavenly praise suggests confidence that transcendent reality supports God's governance, even when earthly circumstances suggest otherwise. In Jewish meditation, contemplating celestial praise provided spiritual assurance and cosmic perspective during periods of political powerlessness.

Questions for Reflection