Psalms 148:9
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Original Language Analysis
הֶהָרִ֥ים
Mountains
H2022
הֶהָרִ֥ים
Mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
1 of 7
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 44:23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.Isaiah 49:13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's geography included diverse terrain—coastal plains, central highlands, Jordan Valley, Negev desert. Mountains like Carmel, Tabor, and Hermon were prominent landmarks. Forests, though less extensive than in earlier periods, provided crucial timber. Fruit trees (olive, fig, date, pomegranate, grape) were central to agricultural economy. The psalmist's catalog reflects intimate familiarity with Palestinian ecology, using local geography to teach universal theology about creation's purpose in glorifying God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does creation's diversity—from mountains to hills, fruit trees to cedars—reflect God's creative abundance and wisdom?
- In what sense do inanimate objects like mountains and trees 'praise' God, and what does this teach about worship's nature?
- What does the inclusion of 'fruitful trees' suggest about the relationship between utility, beauty, and worship in creation?
Analysis & Commentary
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: The psalm's summons to praise descends from atmospheric phenomena (v. 8) to terrestrial topography and vegetation. The Hebrew pairs large and small in parallel poetry: "mountains and all hills" (heharim vekhol geva'ot, הֶהָרִים וְכָל־גְּבָעוֹת) encompasses major peaks and minor elevations, while "fruitful trees and all cedars" (etz peri vekhol arazim, עֵץ פְּרִי וְכָל־אֲרָזִים) includes cultivated orchards and wild forest giants.
Mountains represent permanence and majesty. Psalm 125:1-2 compares God's people to Mount Zion, "which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people." Cedars of Lebanon were famed for strength and longevity, used in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 5:6-10). These enduring features of creation are called to praise—not because they consciously worship but because their existence and function glorify the Creator.
The inclusion of "fruitful trees" (etz peri) emphasizes utility alongside beauty. Fruit-bearing trees fulfill their purpose by providing sustenance, demonstrating God's provision through creation's design. Jesus cursed the barren fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21) and taught that believers should bear fruit (John 15:1-8). Creation's fruitfulness points to spiritual fruitfulness expected of God's people.