Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah Psalm 148

Psalm 148 describes how all things praise Him Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” Hebrews 11:3 Romans 1:20-25 Psalm 14:1 Psalm 148 describes how all things praise Him

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Hallelujah (Praise YHWH) From the heavens – looking upward and seeing the skies IN the heights – all throughout Psalm 19:1

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Angels and hosts “Hosts” – a large number. Multitudes of angels, Hebrews 12:22, Matthew 26:53 – twelve legions (72,000) They praise God – Luke 2:9-14, Revelation 4 & 5

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Sun, moon and stars of light These heavenly bodies are our source of light. However, we know their influence is much greater (moon - gravity, tides, stabilizes rotation, etc.) Heaven of heavens Waters above

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Let them praise His name, for He commanded and created them Genesis 1:1, 3-6 - light, day and night; 14-19 – sun & moon and stars on 4th day God spoke – Genesis 1:3 Hebrews 11:3 2 Peter 3:5

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) He established them forever and ever A decree which (as long as the world stands) will not pass away - see Genesis 8:22 Jeremiah 33:20-21, his “covenant with day and night”

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Lesson: The vastness of our universe Our limited minds are the challenge Laws of nature and science challenge naturalism

Praise Him from the heavens (1-6) Laws of nature and science that challenge naturalism Laws of energy All of these call for a cause! Design demands a designer! GOD fits that demand Universe is expanding Theory that it just came into existence (from nothing) Orderliness to sustain life

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Great sea creatures and all the depth – variety and size, complexity, an eco-system – all show ORDER and thus Design Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy winds – weather! Sustains the world Shows His greatness

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Mountains and hills – terrain, the “heights” of earth! (God rules from top to bottom) Fruitful trees and cedars – plant life that helps us survive! Shows His greatness

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Beasts and all cattle Creeping things and flying fowl DNA points to God – genetic information that cannot be explained by naturalism Shows His greatness

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Mankind (11-12) – ALL of mankind! - Kings of the earth – rulers - All peoples – subjects to kings - Princes and judges - Young men and maidens - Old men - Children Mankind, God’s greatest creation! Genesis 1:26-27

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Only man can reason, think and create unlike any other creature. CREATION praises God by doing what it was made to do. ONLY many can intelligently think of and praise God! Only man FAILS to give Him the praise He is due!

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Imagine a world where: - Rulers feared God and governed as He demands, with love Psalm 2:10-11 - Where all were taught to respect each other and bow humbly before our Creator Philippians 2:3-4 Rom. 13:9-10

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) HOW do we praise God? Exalted praise as we approach Him Psalm 50:23 When we obey Him, John 15:7-8 Our example – Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:11-12

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) Let them praise His name, vs. 13 A name: 1) Identity 2) Reputation 3) Authority His name is exalted – Psalm 8:1 His glory above earth and heaven – Hebrews 13:15 Psalm 111:9

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) He has exalted the horn of His people A horn is a symbol of strength or dominion. God recognizes those who praise Him! He knows those who are His 2 Timothy 2:19 Romans 8:28

Praise Him from the earth (7-14) When we are faithful, He will praise us in the end - cf. Matthew 25:21 A final cause to praise Him, because we belong to Him IF we don’t praise Him, who will?

May our lives reflect praise, not just in word, but also in deed!