Psalms 148:12

(vv. 7-13) The earth is called to praise the Lord. The sea-monsters and the deep they belong to are called to praise. So are the changing elements — lightning and hail, snow and vapors, and stormy wind fulfilling His Word. So are the solid mountains and hills, the trees and the animals. Last of all comes man, the crown of the earthly scene: kings and peoples, men and maidens, old and young. They too are called to praise the One whose Name alone is exalted, whose glory is above the earth and heavens.

Now we come to the lower sphere of earth, where the call for praise is just as universal. Here we begin with what is strangest and least known; the monsters and the deeps... The mountains and hills, by contrast, are pictures of solidity. The trees bring in organized things for the first time. Next comes life in the flesh — higher, and frailer in the same measure. Then comes responsible man, in his various characters of responsibility. Last of all, here too, come the fixed places they hold in relation to one another, and the limits of their time at either end.

After this the animals of the earth will praise Him, though without understanding. This even includes creeping things and flying birds, things created before man was (v. 10). But if those things praise Him, what of mankind? Great numbers today refuse to give honour to their Creator. But then "kings of the earth" are called upon to do so, "and all peoples." That takes in princes, those in places of dignity, and judges, those in authority. Yet no one is shut out, for "young men and maidens, old men and children" are just as much called to join in this great symphony of praise to the living God.

Here praise is called for from the heaven, and everyone and everything connected with it, the praise of Jehovah's name; so from the earth and all below, rising up to the kings and all peoples, of every age, sex, and degree, to praise His name set in His people, His holy or godly ones, beyond question Israel's sons.

The psalm then takes up Israel's part in this general or universal praise. This is the great result on earth in the millennium, but it is tied, as we have seen, to a sphere beyond it — all creation. "Praise Jah" is still the key-note... Then from the earth; and here the kings of the earth come in, and all people, princes, and judges of the earth. They are to praise the name of Jehovah; for His name alone is exalted — His glory above earth and heaven.

All this joy of heaven and earth is much spoken of. The times of restoration and refreshing are felt all through it. "The presence of the Lord" becomes the exhilarating atmosphere everywhere... But note this: the apostle hangs all this joy of creation on "the revealing of the sons of God" (Rom. 8), and the prophets hang it on the redemption of Israel.

The believer is told to give thanks in everything. Praise can only be known in its full and blessed character in redemption. Yet it is a question whether such praise marks the gatherings of the saints as clearly as it should. No sense of obligation can raise the notes of praise. They can only spring from hearts made "merry" by the enjoyment of redeeming love in the power of the Holy Spirit.