The big picture
Psalms 148 opens in verse 1 with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”, and closes in verse 14 with “He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the…” Repeated or prominent terms include Praise, LORD, earth, heavens, name. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 14Psalms 148:1-7
1–7: Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in…
Psalms 148:1–7 opens with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” and reaches “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 148 develops its own movement around Praise, LORD, earth, heavens, name, with particular weight carried by Praise, heavens, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” Naming Praise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 148:1-7
King James Version1Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of the LORD : for he commanded, and they were created.
6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Psalms 148:8-14
8–14: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Psalms 148:8–14 opens with “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” and reaches “He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 148 develops its own movement around Praise, LORD, earth, heavens, name, with particular weight carried by earth, people, praise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” Naming Fire keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 148:8-14
King James Version8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13Let them praise the name of the LORD : for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 148:1 begins with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 148:7 forms a natural hinge: “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”
The final note
Psalms 148:14 leaves the reader with “He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Praise, LORD, earth, heavens, name, people help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.