The Song of Composition – Psalm 148
THE SONG OF COMPOSITION
DATE:
TEXT: PSALM 148
INTRODUCTION
When we have our “Confidence” as in Psalm 146 and we are “Celebrating” unto His glory as in Psalm 147, it must be done with all we have, all we are, and all we expect to have or to be.
“Composition” would be putting it altogether, a proper arrangement of the choir and the words –
All of creation is one large orchestra and choir, and the universe is the stage and the audience is God.
Shouldn’t our Sunday services be arranged in that same manner?
The prophet Habakkuk declared that –
"The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14.
Although this is a prophecy concerning the Kingdom Age, it ought to be an objective for each local church, for here in lies the heart of our confidence, and the heart of our celebration, as well, the very heart on what we base our composition.
For our praise and worship of God cannot be - until it is based on truth:
"God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24
God is worthy to be praised, because God is God, thus, not only is He worthy, but He deserves the praises of all of His creation.
Psalm 107:8 – “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
I. THE PRAISE - v. 1
The word "praise" is found in Psalm 148 thirteen times.
3 time’s in v.1, twice in vs.2 & 14, and once each in vs. 3, 4, 5, 7, 13.
The word carries with it a command, thus, an obligation that we all are to meet.
People are to praise God, give God the glory that rightly belongs to Him.
Praise is to bless God, to declare Him blessed.
II. THE PLACE - vs. 1, 7
The people are to praise Him from all places.
Wherever man is, man is to praise God.
Today, we have programmed ourselves, as it seems, to praise God only within the walls of a church building, but, God's people especially, are to praise God-- Continually --
And from all places:
A. He is to be Praised from the “Heavens” – v.1
Psalm 69:34 - "Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein."
From the heavens - would speak of the very highest possible praise.
For from the very highest, the glory of God exceeds that -
"His glory is above the earth and heaven." - v. 13
Whatever height man is able to achieve, he is to glorify God as equally as he would from any other point or place.
B. He is to be Praised from the “Earth” - v. 7
Look at Psalm 69:34 again - "Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein."
Isaiah 55:12 - "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the filed shall clap their hands."
Wherever man might go, even to the four corners of the earth, they are to praise God.
C. He is to be Praised from the “Deep” - v.7
Again Psalm 69:34 - "Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein."
The word "deeps" in v.7 speaks of the very deepest places.
Psalm 69:34 uses the phrase “the seas”.
Thus, Psalm 148 says that God is to be praised from the highest of heights and to the deepest parts of the ocean, and in every place in between.
Mostly man is to praise God from the heart!
Whatever and wherever man goes, he is to praise God, for the whole earth, the whole universe is the "handy work of God."
Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.”
III. THE PEOPLE, PLANTS, ANIMALS, ANGELS, AND PLANET - vs. 2, 3, 7-12
Psalm 150:6 says – “Let every thing that hath breath (life) praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."
Psalm 145:21 says - "My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever."
A. The “Angels and the Heavenly Host” are to Praise God
This would tell us that no one or no thing is exempt from praising the Lord.
This would include Gabriel, Michael.
There are countless legions of angels.
The Angelic orchestra.
Imagine, if you can, the praise that must come from the angelic choir.
V. 2 - "Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts."
Psalm 103:20, 21 -"Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word."
"Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure."
The Book of Revelation gives us a picture of the praises that are being rendered unto God from the heavenly host.
Revelation 5:11-14
B. The “Planet and its Hosts” are to Praise God - v.3 –
"Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light."
The Sun is the father of lights, and moon reflects his brightness.
Thus there is a perpetual adoration of the Lord in the skies.
It varies with night and day, but the praise continues.
Night and day, day and night, twenty-four hours a day.
The stars are also bidden to cast forth their light in praise.
So many that they cannot be numbered - “...all ye stars.”
Yet not one of them refuses to shine forth praise unto its Maker.
Stars without light render no praise and Christians without light rob God of His glory.
Vs. 4 & 5
The Maker should have honour from His works, and they should tell forth His praise; and thus they should praise His name.
The highest praise we can render toward God is to declare what He is – The Creator
Vs. 6 & 7
The composition now descends to our abode, the earth.
We are to pour out our praise to Him.
V.8
Lightening and hail go together.
Fire and hail are a contrast in nature, but they are combined here to magnify the Lord.
The stormy winds are proclaiming their praise to the Father.
V.9 - "Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:"
The highest mountains - the low foothills - the tall pines - the giant redwood all praise Him.
We can see what these verses are saying clearer by observing -
Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13; Jeremiah 51:48 Revelation 18:20
The earth is groaning for the coming of the Lord -
Read Romans 8:19-23; Jeremiah 12:11
C. The “Animals” are to Praise God - v.7, 10
"Ye dragons, --"
Dragons speak of sea-serpents, a great water animal.
(Leviathan – Job 41:1; Psalm 74:14; 104:26; Isaiah 27:1)
V. 10 - "Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:"
Animals, whether fierce or tame; wild beasts and domestic cattle.
All these are to show forth the praises of Jehovah.
Hosea 2:18
These are all the created creatures of God and were and are created for His glory.
The sin of man has fallen upon all things, and by and through Jesus Christ, man, earth, plants and animals will someday be freed from the curse that is upon them.
Romans 8:19-23
D. The “People” are to Praise God
V.11 - "Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:"
Now we have reached our own race, and rulers and subjects alike unite in worshipping the sovereign Lord of all.
V.12, 13 - "Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:"
"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven."
The earth, the planets, the plants, and the animals are all to praise God for they are His creation, but man is to take the lead in praising God for man is made in the image and likeness of God.
How do the Sun, Moon, the stars, the cattle, the sea dragons, the mountains, the seas, praise God?
Do they say, “Praise the Lord”?
Do they raise their arms in praise to Him? No!
They praise Him by being obedient to their purpose for which He created Him.
The chief “purpose” of man is to -
]Glorify God
]Enjoy God
The chief “task” of man is to -
]Win others to God
]Disciple them to serve God
1. People of “all authority” -
"Kings", "Common people", "Princes", "Judges"
All are to recognize God and to praise Him.
2. People of “both genders” -
"Young men", "Maidens", "Old men", "Children"
All are the children of Adam and are responsible in their praises to God.
3. People of “all ages” -
"Young men", "Maidens" (usually speaks of young women)
"Old men" (would speak of old people in general)
"Children"
The old are to set the pace and the pattern in praising God and to pass it down to their children to pass on to their children.
Deuteronomy 6:3-8
People are to praise God, all people, no one is excused from this main purpose of life.
CONCLUSION:
The Psalmist concludes with this statement –
"Let them praise the name of the Lord." – v.13
The purpose behind this is made very clear:
1. His name is excellent –
“for His name alone is excellent;”
Excellent means to be set on high.
Because He is the exalted One.
2. His glory is above the earth and heaven –
“His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Above means higher than whatever the earth holds; and whatever the heavens holds, the glory of God reaches on beyond them.
]The glory of God was before the creation - Genesis 1:1
]The glory of God is above them – v. 13
]The glory of God will be after them - II Peter 3:10-13
3. He exalteth the “horn” of His people – v.14
The horn symbolizes power and authority
That is, He shall establish us in power and authority, but
"All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." - Psalm 75:10
(Psalm 92:1-15)
We praise Him by being obedient - by lifting holy hands
to Him – I Timothy 2:8
When someone tells you how good your child is you are praised by that child’s obedience.
Thus, when we are obedient and holy, He is praised.
This praise shall flow, especially from all of His Saints; and from His people Israel. “PRAISE YE THE LORD”
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