Psalms 148:7

Authorized King James Version

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Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

Original Language Analysis

הַֽלְל֣וּ Praise H1984
הַֽלְל֣וּ Praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 1 of 8
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 #: 2 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְ֭הוָה the LORD H3068
יְ֭הוָה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָאָ֑רֶץ from the earth H776
הָאָ֑רֶץ from the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 8
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
תַּ֝נִּינִ֗ים ye dragons H8577
תַּ֝נִּינִ֗ים ye dragons
Strong's: H8577
Word #: 6 of 8
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּהֹמֽוֹת׃ and all deeps H8415
תְּהֹמֽוֹת׃ and all deeps
Strong's: H8415
Word #: 8 of 8
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)

Analysis & Commentary

"Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps." The call shifts from heaven (vv.1-6) to earth: Halelu et YHWH min ha'aretz (praise the LORD from the earth). Eretz (earth/land) encompasses terrestrial realm. Tanninim v'khol tehomot (dragons and all deeps). Tannin (dragon/sea monster/serpent) indicates large aquatic creatures—likely whales, sea serpents, crocodiles. Tehom (deep/abyss) refers to ocean depths, chaotic waters. Ancient Near Eastern myths portrayed sea monsters and primordial waters as threatening chaos. Genesis 1:2 mentions tehom (deep) over which God's Spirit hovered. Job 41 describes Leviathan. Yet even these symbols of chaos must praise their Creator—they're creatures, not threatening chaos gods. God commands even seemingly threatening elements.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern mythologies featured combat between gods and chaos monsters—Marduk vs. Tiamat (Babylonian), Baal vs. Yamm (Canaanite). These myths portrayed creation as violent divine struggle. Genesis 1's creation account radically demythologized this: the tehom (deep) wasn't a deity but created reality, and sea creatures weren't chaos gods but creatures made on day five (Genesis 1:21). God commands Leviathan (Job 41:1-2, Psalm 104:26). Isaiah prophesied God will judge Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1). Revelation depicts the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:1), finally defeated (Revelation 19:20). All creation, even that symbolizing chaos, submits to divine sovereignty.

Questions for Reflection