Psa 148:6-14 “Praise ye the Lord” – Part 2

[Study Aired April 10, 2020]

Psa 148:6  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Psa 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Psa 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Psa 148:9  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Psa 148:10  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Psa 148:11  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Psa 148:12  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Psa 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Psa 148:14  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.

“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” of Mark 10:9 is something God has promised He will accomplish with the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7), and this is something to greatly rejoice and praise God as we consider that “he hath made a decree which shall not pass” regarding the relationship He has given us with Christ, who is the head over the church which is His body and His bride (Col 1:18, Eph 5:26-29).

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready [How she has “made herself ready” (Eph 5:26-29)].

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

That decree^H2706 which shall not pass is being fulfilled because of God’s sovereign hand over the light and darkness in our heavens (Isa 45:7, Eph 1:11) as he brings everything into subjection within us unto Christ according to the counsel of his own will (1Co 15:27).

1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

As we discussed last week, without the “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word” that typify the judgment which must occur within Christ’s bride, we would not be made ready or be able to “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps“, and it is through that judgment God will accomplish bringing “all things under his [Christ’s] feet”, a judgment that begins at the house of God and ends in the great white throne judgment for the rest of humanity (1Pe 4:17, Rev 20:11-15).

The deeps^H8415 being spoken of in the 7th verse are the depths of darkness within us that would never naturally praise God from the grave, or abyss within us, unless the Lord would judge us and convert our hearts (1Pe 4:17, Eze 36:26). Through our being buried into Christ’s death (Rom 6:4) we can be that positive version of the serpent or seraphim which is dying daily by mortifying the deeds of the flesh as we consider ourselves dead to sin and alive through Christ who gives us the power to carry our cross (Rom 6:11, Mat 16:24). God’s elect are able to spiritually heal others (Joh 14:12) as we look to Christ’s example in each other typified by the time when the Israelites of old were healed from the physical bite of serpents in the wilderness by looking to the serpent of brass (Gal 2:20, 1Ti 4:16, Num 21:9, Joh 3:14).

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them  [The washing of water by the word that the bride is experiencing (Joh 15:4)]: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Num 21:9  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. [1Co 11:1, Psa 121:1-2]

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [He must be lifted up in our heavens,by the miracle of being raised in heavenly places together, in order for us to be healed and to be able to heal others spiritually Eph 2:6].

If there were no judgment upon the body of Christ today, the “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word“, then none of these things could happen. None of the “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars. None of the “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl“. None of the “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth. None of the “young men, and maidens; old men, and children” would be able to “praise the name of the LORD“. But because the Lord “exalteth the horn of his people“, we know what it means and we believe when it says that “his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven“.

We praise God for this privilege to be “a people near unto him” being held by His great power which is far above (Eph 1:21) all those afore mentioned things within us.  Christ is able to bring it all into subjection to our Father who created all these powers and principalities so we could be matured through the process of bringing them all into subjection through having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:14).

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Psa 148:6  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

God has established the physical heavens and all that is in them (verses 1-5) as a type of what He’s going to establish in the hearts and minds of all His creation “for ever and ever” from aion to aion, each man in his order. He “hath made a decree which shall not pass” tells us God’s purposes shall stand (Isa 46:9-11, Pro 19:21, Eph 1:11). The physical realm will pass, and its purpose is to point to the everlasting relationship God is forming in the spirit realm (Rom 1:20, Mat 24:35, Rev 21:1, 2Pe 3:10-15).

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Eph 1:11, Rom 4:17)
Isa 46:11  Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Pro 16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent [Pro 12:24] that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. [Eph 5:26, Rev 19:8, 1Co 9:27]
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation (Rom 2:4); even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Psa 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

We “praise“^{H1984 [H8761 = Piel]} God from these various locations each one representing a stage in our going toward the time when He will be “all in all” (1Co 15:28) when “all deeps“^H8415 will worship Him, meaning the sea or all of humanity. As we read, one day there will be no sea, meaning there will be no more carnal-mindedness left, but all of God’s creation washed by the word of God and praising God for the new creation we have become (Rev 21:1, 2Co 5:17).

H1984 Praise – BDB Definition:
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (figuratively of God’s favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light

2) to praise, boast, be boastful
2a) (Qal)
2a1) to be boastful
2a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
2b) (Piel)
2b1) to praise
2b2) to boast, make a boast
2c) (Pual)
2c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
2d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast
2e) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
2f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root

H8415 Deep – BDB Definition:
1) deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea
1a) deep (of subterranean waters)
1b) deep, sea, abysses (of sea)
1c) primeval ocean, deep
1d) deep, depth (of river)
1e) abyss, the grave

Part of Speech: noun feminine or masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H1949

Everything within God’s elect should be praising God now (Psa 103:1), but the outward and dispensational view of this verse will be when all of humanity has come under His authority. God does not need our praise for all eternity, but we will, with the mind of Christ and the fullness of our relationship with our Father and Lord, always be wanting to be about our Father’s business and praising Him with our actions, demonstrating a stedfast love toward each other and toward our heavenly Father and Christ!

Psa 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

We praise Him in Babylon not even knowing that we are one of His elect, a stage represented by the time when we “Praise the LORD from the earth“. As we grow in the grace and in knowledge of our Lord, God willing we become mature sons in this age as our actions continue to glorify God or praise him more and more as a result of being given the power to abide in Christ and bring forth much fruit (Psa 34:2, Joh 8:31, Joh 15:4-6).

Psa 34:2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Then we are told “ye dragons“^H8577 are praising God, and this dragon or serpent as it is defined represents our origin of being of our father the devil, having become a Son of God who can now worship God in spirit and in truth (Job 30:29, Isa 43:20, Joh 4:24), praising Him for the many wonderful works that He has done in our life to transform our minds into the mind of Christ (Psa 107:30-31, Rom 12:2).

H8577 Dragon – BDB Definition:
1) dragon, serpent, sea monster
1a) dragon or dinosaur
1b) sea or river monster
1c) serpent, venomous snake

Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: intensive from the same as H8565

Psa 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

The wonderful works to the children of men of (Psa 107:31) are described with these words in this verse: “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind” and these are the treasures of God that are “fulfilling his word” in the day of the Lord, “against the day of battle and war” within (Job 38:22-24)

Job 38:22  Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
Job 38:23  Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
Job 38:24  By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

Excerpt from Revelation 7:1-3, Part 3

…So the “four spirits” are the whole of God’s spirit realm, and we are told by Christ, that realm is dealt with and sustained “by the word of His power.”

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

What is that  “word of His power?”

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Psa 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Psa 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

So it is these very words which we are studying which will “hurt the earth, and the sea, and the trees.” Why do these words “hurt” God’s creation? The reason is that “judgment is upon the house of God,” and that judgment is a “fiery trial.”

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

So these words are spirit, and life, but they are also fiery words which are judging us at this very moment… ***[end quote]

God uses all aspects of His creation to bring about fruit in the life of those who are His own, and when we bring forth fruit He prunes us (gives us fiery trials Isa 28:17, 1Pe 4:12) so that we bring forth even more fruit (Joh 15:2-4).

Isa 28:17  Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Psa 148:9  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 
Psa 148:10  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Psa 148:11  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

All the things mentioned in these verses are also connected with the opening statement in verse 7 that says “Praise the LORD” and all these things are in the earth, so it is speaking about what God is able to do in us as His workmanship (Eph 2:10) how he can bring us to hear him through a process of judgment that is ongoing in our earth (Jer 22:29).

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

When we do hear the voice of the true Shepherd, our mountains and hills that represent the pride of life (Isa 40:4) are abased as we look to one who is far higher than all our cares (1Pe 5:7) and anything that we can think of that may try to separate us from His love (Psa 121:1, Eph 1:21, Rom 8:35). We praise Him therefore because we can see how God can make the fruitful tree and keep it producing more and more fruit. He can also take the cedar and cut down these trees that represent unfruitful events of our life and turn them into something that will serve the temple of God which we are, just as Solomon did in the temple of God using the cedar tree (1Ki 5:5-6).

1Ki 5:5  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1Ki 5:6  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

It’s with this same train of thought we can see how God can and does use all things for our sakes (2Co 4:15), the “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl” along with “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth“. Whether these things be within or without, they are all part of God’s creation to do with as He pleases.

Psa 135:6  Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

The “beasts” that we are is humbled by God, chastened and scourged so that we can grow and mature in Him (Ecc 3:18, Heb 12:6, Rev 15:8 ).

The “cattle” are sacrifice for us and provide spiritual lessons for us as we learn with all the levitical sacrifices made back in ancient Israel (Lev 9:4, 2Ch 7:5, 1Co 3:16).

The “creeping things” represent the sin that is in our members that God knows how to manifest in our lives (Psa 104:25, Eze 8:10, Hab 1:14), so that it can be used to correct us as our own iniquities will do (Jer 2:19, Rom 9:19-21, 1Jn 1:8).

Psa 104:25  So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

Eze 8:10  So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

Hab 1:14  And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The “creeping things” is more akin to the wood and stone, silver and gold, idols that we worship instead of God (Deu 29:17, Psa 115:4), whereas the “flying foul”  is more connected to the spiritual battles in our heavens that we have in regard to learning how to rightly divide the word of God, having our senses exercised so we can learn to discern good and evil overcoming all the lies of Babylon that had darkened our heavens for so long (Heb 5:14, Rev 9:2, Rev 18:2).

Deu 29:17  And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:

Psa 115:4  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

Job 28:7  There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:

Job 28:20  Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
Job 28:21  Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Psa 148:12  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 
Psa 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

These are some more of “the generation to come” (Psa 78:4) that are mentioned who praise the LORD, and “His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven“, meaning we are more than conquerors through Christ, through His name, through His word, through His mind, that is far above our heavens and earth (2Ti 1:7) which are praising God for His stedfast love toward His children (1Jn 3:1).

Psa 78:4  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

This section of Psalm 148 expresses the thanks and praise we ought to give to God for the victory that He has promised to His children over sin (Joh 8:36), and as we read through 1 John 2:12-17, notice the very similar references to “young men, and maidens; old men, and children” and how it is all in the context of overcoming. Being given the power to overcome is one of the greatest reasons we praise God and give him thanks as his mercies are renewed day by day as he heals us of all our iniquities and diseases (Psa 103:3).

1Jn 2:12  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
1Jn 2:13  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1Jn 2:14  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

[God gives His children the ability to abide in his word and to overcome the wicked one by our faith which is a gift of God (Joh 16:13, 1Jn 5:4)]

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

[Christ is our example and by the hope of glory within us (Col 1:27) we can fulfill God’s will and overcome our fleshly will. We are sojourning together as the body of Christ through the wilderness of this life that our flesh represents and we are seeing him increase and our life decrease as we continue to die daily and cry out as our Lord did “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Joh 3:30, Luk 22:42).]

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1Jn 2:24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. [Joh 8:31-32, Joh 15:5]
1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Psa 148:14  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.

“Praise ye the Lord” because “He also exalteth the horn of his people“.

“His people” is speaking specifically of the elect who are “of the children of Israel” and are blessed to be “near unto him” through the dragging and converting process (Joh 6:44) we are going through as those who are first being judged and learning to trust God (Eph 1:12) at the altar which is the cross where the power, strength or “horn of his people” is exalted, as God makes his strength perfect through our weakness (Psa 118:27, 2Co 12:9).

These last verses we’ll look at for this study explain very clearly that the enemy we are overcoming is within, and that it is God alone who is going to save us from ourselves. Not only will the Lord save us, but He will do it in this fashion through Christ: “Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore“. We were all enemies of the cross in our appointed time, and now we “Praise the Lord” for this reason: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Psa 18:45  The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
Psa 18:46  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psa 18:47  It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
Psa 18:48  He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Psa 18:49  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Psa 18:50  Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.