Psalms 148
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm calls on everything God made to praise Him. First the sky and the things above it: angels, sun, moon, and stars. Then the earth and everything on it: sea creatures, weather, mountains, trees, animals, and people of every age. The reason given is that God made them all, and His name is greater than anything else.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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 high above us.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
2Praise Him, all you angels. Praise Him, all you armies in 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. Praise Him, you waters 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 forever. He made a rule that will never end.
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
7Praise the LORD from the earth, you big sea creatures and deep oceans.
The KJV says "dragons" here. The old word meant large animals that live in the sea, not the dragons in storybooks.
8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
8Praise Him, lightning and hail. Praise Him, snow and clouds. Praise Him, strong wind that does what He says.
The KJV word "vapours" means clouds or mist.
9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
9Praise Him, mountains and all hills. Praise Him, fruit trees and all cedar trees.
10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
10Praise Him, wild animals and all cattle. Praise Him, 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. Praise Him, princes and all rulers of the earth.
12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
12Praise Him, young men and young women. Praise Him, 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 above every other name. His greatness is higher than the earth and the heavens.
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 made His people strong. This is a song of praise for all who belong to Him. It is for Israel, a people who are close to Him. Praise the LORD!
"Lifts up the horn" was an old way of saying God gave His people strength, like an animal that is strong because of its horns.
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