Psalm 148: Praying Through The Psalms

“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun, and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies (Ps. 148:1-4).”

Dear Heavenly Father, the whole creation praises your name. As humans, created in your image, we praise you with our lips and make melody in our hearts. Let the heavenly realm—with all of it’s majesty of angels and seraphim’s, praise the most majestic of them all: You, O God.

Everlasting God, the brilliant and powerful sun, which is more than 100 times larger than the earth and burns at 27 million degrees Fahrenheit, bows before your greatness. The moon, in all of it’s elegant wander of light at night, reminds us of your great light that shines in the midst of our darkness. Let all of creation—angels, humankind, the stars, the ocean, the trees of the Amazon praise your glorious name!

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them forever and ever—he issued a decree that will never pass away (Ps. 148:5-6).”

Marvelous Creator, my heart is comforted because I know you are sovereign. You are in control and work out all things together for good to those who are called according to your will. As you command the angels, the stars, the earth, and humankind to share in your glory, you establish all of us forever and ever. You issued a decree that will never pass away. Your promises are more sure than the rising of the sun. Thanks be to you for all the promises you have made.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, every generation from young to old (Ps. 148:7-12).”

O God, your Scriptures are poetic and bring joy to my heart. I enjoy just reading these verses out loud and meditating on your goodness. I look out my window and see your marvelous creation, from the birds that sing under the brilliant sun, to the clouds that float in the sky.

Then I think about all the great sea creatures, from as large as the blue whale to as small as plankton. O Lord, you have made such a clever ecological world in the sea. As I look above, your lightning and hail are so intimidating. The powerful sound of thunder makes me tremble, but I know that you are exceedingly more powerful than a bolt of lightning.

Sovereign King, you made all the seasons to bring variety to your creation. The summer, the fall, the spring, and especially the winter. The white snow that falls to the ground and displays a winter wonderland. It’s like heaven coming down to earth. All the mountains who touch the sky and stretch our their arms in praising your glorious name.

All the small creatures, flying birds, wild animals, cattle, and kings of the earth shall continually praise your name. Every generation, from young to old, will give you honor and praise. King of the universe, thanks for granting us the gift of life. Just to breathe and experience creation is more than what we deserve. You are so kind and glorious. Praise be to your great name.

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord (Ps. 148:13-14).”

O God, we begin with praising your name and we end with praising your name from this psalm and forevermore. For your name alone is to be exalted. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. You are the only being in the universe who is not contingent on anything. Without you, all of us would turn to dust.

But you raised us up as a horn of strength, you have given us the opportunity to serve and worship you. As people of Israel, those who you have made a covenant with—both the Gentiles and Jews under the new covenant, will sing your praises. Your grace and mercy have brought us close to your heart. We will sing your praises forever and ever. Amen!

Prayer Written by Chad A. Damitz