Psalm 148 Part 3

Because of our redemption we are exhorted to join and fill up the universal chorus of heaven and earth. This is certain because the day is coming when “ at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:10-11NLT). ‘Under the earth’ is speaking of, those who have died and have been buried. (Even the devil himself!) The Bible speaks of 2 resurrections, the first, at the second coming of Jesus, is for those who will be saved, because they have born again. (1Thess.4:16.) The second resurrection is for the unsaved (Rev.20:5-6, 11-15). Born once die twice, born twice die once, if at all, because one generation of the redeemed will be living when Jesus returns.

Yahweh deserves such praise from all things on earth because He alone is God. There is no other being that deserves the worship, honour, and praise that God deserves. 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.

The nation of Israel a people ‘near to him’ (v14)(Horn = power) were exalted above other nations and were to strike up a hallelujah that is to be joined in by heaven and earth. The baton has been handed to spiritual Israel – heirs of the promise(Gal3:29) Paul calls the church ‘the Israel of God” (Gal.6:16). If you are in Israel’s Messiah, then you are ‘near to him?’ The composer of this psalm has persuaded us to do what we and all creation should do – give to Yahweh the praise due to Him. This is a hallelujah chorus, and is something to be listened to and felt. This is a blaze of glory that should be contemplated as a sublime sunrise or sunset, not subjected scientifically to prismatic analysis.