Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 148

1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens ; praise him in the heights .

All the host of Heaven, which he particularly expresseth in the following verses.

In those high and heavenly places.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. Hallelu [illegible: 1+ letters]

2 Praise ye him all his Angels : praise ye him all his hosts .

He inviteth the Angels here, and the senseless creatures afterward, to praise God, not as if the former needed, or the latter were capable of, his exhortation, but onely by a Poetical rapture, the design whereof is, that men by this means might be more provoked to this duty.

The Angels, called hosts, here and 1 Kings 22. 19. for their vast numbers, exquisite order, and perfect subjection to their General, the Lord of hosts.

Marginal references: Psal. 103. 20, 21.

3 Praise ye him sun and moon : praise him all ye stars of light.

You which are adored by the blind Heathens for gods, you are but his creatures, and therefore were obliged, if you were capable, to worship and praise him for your glorious light and powerful influences.

4 Praise him ye heavens of heavens , and ye waters that be above the heavens .

Ye highest and most glorious Heavens, the place of Gods Throne and glorious presence, as this phrase is used, Deut. 10. 14. 1 Kings. 8. 27. Neh. 9. 6. Psal. 115. 16. Or ye starry Heavens, which also may well be so called, because they are above the air, which is oft called Heaven in Scripture.

Ye clouds which are above a part of the Heavens. Of which see on Gen. 1. 7.

5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created .

They owe their being wholly to Gods good will.

Marginal references: Gen. 1. 1, 6. Psal. 33. 9.

6 He hath also established them for ever and ever : he hath made a decree which shall not pass .

Either absolutely as to the substance of them, or at least to the end of the world. He hath made them constant and incorruptible, not changeable and perishing, as the things of the lower world are.

Either concerning their several courses and influences: or rather for their continuance for ever; which best agrees with the foregoing and following words.

Which decree shall never be made void.

Marginal references: Psal. 89. 37. & 119. 90, 91. Jer. 31. 35, 36.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps.

Either, 1. dragons and serpents, which abide in the deep caverns and holes of the earth: or, 2. whales or other Sea-monsters, which dwell in the depths of the Sea, which are oft called by this name, as Iob 7. 12. Ezek. 29. 3. and elsewhere, as the word here rendred deeps is most commonly used concerning the Sea.

8 Fire and hail, snow and vapor , stormy wind fulfilling his word .

Lightnings and other fire-works of the air.

Or, sumes, hot exhalations, as the word properly signifies, as cold exhalations are comprehended under the title of snow. And both of them arising from the earth, are here fitly mentioned as belonging to it.

Executing his commands either for the comfort and refreshment, or for the punishment, of the inhabitants of the earth.

9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars .

Admirable for your height and strength and use, though not for your fruit.

11 Kings of the earth , and all people: princes, and all judges of the earth.

Who, though you are called gods, and adored like gods by your Subjects, yet are but men, and the creatures and Subjects of this Soveraign Lord, to whom you owe both your being, and all your power and dignity.

13 Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for his Name alone is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven .

Not so much in place as in excellency, above all the glories which are in earth and in Heaven.

Marginal references: Psal. 8. 1. Isai. 12. 4.; Heb. exalted.

14 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.

To wit, above the horns of all the people in the world, in respect of their spiritual and eternal priviledges, as it here follows. The born in Scripture doth commonly note strength, victory, glory and felicity, as Deut. 33. 17. and every where.

Either, 1. He is the praise, as God is called Deut. 10. 21. to wit, the God of their praise, as Psal. 109. 1. the chiefest object and matter of it: or, 2. which is the praise. Which work of God in exalting their horn is their glory, and maketh them praise-worthy, or obligeth and provoketh them in a singular manner to perform this great duty of praising God, which is so generally neglected by others.

By special relation and friendship and covenant, and by familiar intercourses, God manifesting his face and favour to them, and they frequently and solemnly approaching into his presence, and worshipping him at his footstool.