Who Should Praise God?

Psalm 148:1-14

“Praise ye the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” (Psalm 148:1-6)

The psalmist starts with the command to praise God.  He then points out that those who are in the heavens or in the highest places of the universe should praise God.  The angels and all the saints who have gone before should praise God because they owe him their very existence.   He was the creator of the sun, moon and stars who placed them where they are.  Scientists now claim to have evidence of water on several of the planets, and the clouds contain vast amounts of water.  God placed them all there for his purpose.  They have been there from the time of creation and they will remain as long as time exists.  They all ought to praise God for their creation and their continued existence. 

“Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 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.” (Psalm 148:7-13)

Things on earth, owe God just as much thanks for their existence as do the things in heaven.  The various lizards, in the most remote places on earth, or the things in the deepest parts of the earth and sea were created by God.  He created fire and the wind, the rain, the hail and snow that cause our weather at his command.  He created the mountains and hills, and the trees that grow on them, from the ancient cedar to the newest variety of fruit tree.  He created the mammals, the reptiles, the insects, and the birds that live on the earth.  He created the great kings and rulers of the earth, the business leaders, and judges, as well as the poor, the old men and the babies, the young men and young women.  All were created by God and owe their continued existence to him.  They should praise him for creating them.  Their very existence demonstrates his power and wisdom.   

Everything in universe, from the smallest particle of matter to the largest object in space and every living thing, from the least significant microbe the greatest whale demonstrates God’s power, his wisdom and his love for them.  Everything should be praising him, and one day they all will forced to acknowledge him.    

“He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 148:14)

While God has blessed everything he has created by giving them existence and enabling them to survive, he has blessed his people, those who chose to obey his commands far more, because they have chosen to be with him.