United Commentaries

Ps.146.1-150.6

The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the Lord! (Hebrew haleluyah).

Ps.148.1-14

This psalm calls for the whole created order to praise the Lord because he has honored his faithful people.

Ps.148.1

During Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the crowds called out various blessings, including a phrase taken from this verse (Matt 21:9; Mark 11:10; Luke 19:38).

Ps.148.6

The created order is stable because of the Lord’s word (see 33:9).

Ps.148.8

In the ancient Near East, people viewed different gods as having control over separate aspects of nature. The Lord, however, reigns sovereign over all natural phenomena; all the parts of creation are his servants, bringing praise to him through their obedience (77:17-18; 104:4; 135:7; 147:8, 15-18; Num 11:31).

Ps.148.11-12

The psalmist calls all humans to offer praise to God, regardless of status, age, or gender.

Ps.148.13-14

Universal praise of the Lord is fitting because he is glorious, and he has blessed his people (see 147:13; Isa 46:13; Eph 3:10).

His faithful ones are his trusting and devoted servants (Ps 86:2).