Our Reading: Psalm 148 & Ephesians 4:4-8

This final week of studying the Psalms is all about praise and this Psalm declares universal praise for the name of the Lord. It has a beautiful connection to the creation account of Genesis. God first created the heavenly places to include the heavenly lights. In v 1-6, we see a call for praise from these heavenly dwellings to include the angels, the Sun, moon, and stars. The heavenly realm and it’s angelic hosts are present because God created them. With precision and cosmic fine tuning, he keeps all the galaxies, including our solar system in perfect harmonious order. “Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Next God created the features of the landscape of earth and its mighty oceans and filled it with living creatures. He established the weather patterns and ecosystems that could sustain life. Verses 7-10 bid praise from the elements, the creatures of land, sea, and air.

And finally, he created mankind and bid all people to praise Him from every walk of life, race, sex and generation. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭13‬ ‭

Not only did He create every physical element necessary for life but He created and sustains all of the vast components and systems necessary to preserve life. Not only did He create it but He rules over it, having a vast passion to connect to mankind, whom He so lovingly placed here to be in relationship with. 

“Therefore ought the Lord to be praised because he is Preserver as well as Creator, Ruler as well as Maker.” (Spurgeon)

The peaceful, harmonious, and intimate relationship man first enjoyed in the Garden of Eden was destroyed when man decided to embrace sin and to put self on the throne of his heart. But, God, in His abundant mercy and passionate concern for man’s spiritual well-being, provided a promise of coming salvation for his people to hope in.

“He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭14‬ ‭

The raised horn refers to a bull raising its horns after a victory and biblically is connected to victory, especially from oppression. Jesus was the promised raised horn. God, graciously stepped down from His exalted position to clothe himself in the humble cloak of human flesh. He willingly endured first hand the experience of being like us so that He could ultimately connect to us and save us. There is no greater act of mercy, compassion, or love! When we meditate on this, the awe of God and His love for each of us should bid our praise. 

“He is himself the crown of all things, the excellency of the creation. There is more glory in him personally than in all his works united. It is not possible for us to exceed and become extravagant in the Lord’s praise: his own natural glory is infinitely greater than any glory which we can render to him.” (Spurgeon)

As we have studied the Psalms together, I hope that you have been able to grow in your knowledge and personal connection with God. I hope that you have developed an ever expanding awe and admiration for the One who made you and the world that sustains life for you. I hope that from a heart surrendered to God, you find praise and worship freely flowing,extending out to touch those you encounter and rising to the heavenly realm in prayerful paise and jubilant exaltation. May your life be a continual act of bidding Him praise.!

The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.-John Piper

Prayer: Father, we thank You for the amazing world that You have created and how it reflects Your wisdom, Your sovereignty, and Your majestic power. We thank You for not only creating us and sustaining us, but for sending your beloved Son, Jesus, to be our raised horn of salvation from the oppression of sin. May praise become a genuine outpouring from the depths of our hearts.