Psalms
Chapter 148
This psalm calls on all creation to praise the LORD. First it calls to everything above the earth: angels, sun, moon, stars, and the waters above the sky. Then it calls to everything on earth: sea creatures, weather, mountains, trees, animals, and people of every age and rank. It ends by saying God has given strength to his people Israel, who are close to him.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
1Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens. Praise him up in the high places.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
2Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his armies of heaven.
3Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
3Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all you shining stars.
4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters that are above the sky.
5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
5Let them all praise the name of the LORD. He gave the order, and they were made.
6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
6He set them in place to last on and on. He made a law that will never end.
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
7Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deep waters.
The KJV says "dragons" here. The Hebrew word means huge sea animals, not the dragons of fairy tales.
8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
8Praise him, fire and hail, snow and clouds, and strong wind that does what he says.
9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
9Praise him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedar trees.
10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
10Praise him, wild animals and all cattle, small crawling creatures and flying birds.
11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
11Praise him, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all the rulers of the earth.
12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
12Praise him, young men and young women, old people and children.
13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
13Let them all praise the name of the LORD. His name alone is lifted high. His glory is above the earth and the sky.
14He 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.
14He has raised up strength for his people. That gives all his faithful ones a reason to praise him. They are the people of Israel, who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
"Lifts up the horn" is an old way of saying "gives strength." The picture comes from an animal lifting its horns.
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