Colossians 1:16 says that the LORD created all things, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible; and they were not only created by His power, but they were created for Him. That’s the message of Psalm 148, in that all of the LORD’s creation is to praise Him. Verses 1-6 begin: Praise the LORD from the heavens – and commands the heavenly beings and bodies to join in praise. Psalm 19:1 tells of this very thing:
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Then verse 7 begins the rest of the psalm with: Praise the LORD from the earth – including all of the animals; all the elements of the weather that fulfill His word; along with the mountains and trees. It reminds me of the words of the disciples after Jesus stilled a raging storm at sea: even the wind and the sea obey Him (Mk. 4:41)! Or Jesus’ reply to some Pharisees who complained that the multitude sang Jesus’ praises: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD” as He rode toward Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
And He answered and said, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Lk. 19:39-40)
Then the psalmist turned to call all the peoples of the earth to praise the LORD – be they kings and princes, young men and virgins, or old men and children (vv. 11-12). He closes by giving two reasons to praise Him: 1) because the LORD is the transcendent God whose glory is above all His creation (v. 13); and yet, 2) He is also the personal God who has lifted up His people, even Israel, to be near to Him (v. 14). The LORD who created the heavens and the earth – including us – has come near to us through the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Will we join the rest of His creation and give Him the praise that He alone deserves?