One of my absolute favorite songs in our hymnals is William J. Kirkpatrick’s Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, which echoes the words of Psalm 148. When I was younger, I liked the song because it was upbeat and fast-paced, but I did not understand the reason behind praising God. He seemed a bit arrogant and hypocritical to me because He told people to praise Him but then instructed the same people to be humble and not seek praise themselves. It was not until I was in college that I truly began to understand the song and by extension the Psalm from which it was based.

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the Name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away.

-Psalm 148:1-6

Creation is commanded to praise God because of what He has done for it. He spoke. It came into being. He is the Architect, the Creator, the Establisher, the Law-Maker, and the Word. Because of these roles, God is worthy of praise and honor. The psalmist continues to elaborate on this praise-giving creation until verses 11-12.

Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. -Psalm 148:11-12

Mankind. Men, created in the image of God, and women, created from the image of man and thereby in the image of their Creator (1 Corinthians 11:7), are given free-will to determine whether to love God or spurn Him. Too often choosing to cast aside God’s decrees and even deny His existence. God brings an indictment on His people more than once because of their refusal to offer Him glory, honor, and praise.

Isaiah begins his book by comparing Israel’s faithfulness to that of an ox and donkey.

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand. -Isaiah 1:2-3

Israel, His people, comes up lacking. Let us be as wise and faithful to God as the ox and donkey. Let us seek to honor our Creator and King with every breath because He alone is worthy. Remember, He spoke and everything came into being. He is the Architect, the Creator, the Establisher, the Law-Maker, and the Word.