The title for Psalm 148 is “Praise the Name of the Lord.” The word “praise” is mentioned 13 times in the 14 verses of the Psalm. The Psalmist has a very clear message for us. He wants us to praise the Lord!
As Christians, we know of many reasons to praise the Lord, both past, present, and future. He created the world and all that is in it. He promised us a Savior, and gave him to us in his Son, Jesus. His Son came to earth, became a human being, died on the cross, and rose again on the third day, all for us. We were saved through him. We look forward to the future, knowing that Jesus will return on the Last Day and take us to Heaven with him.
We also have another reason to praise the Lord, one that we perhaps don’t think of as often. Psalm 148:1 says, “Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!” We can praise the Lord for the people who have obeyed this command – the people who shared the reasons for praise with us. We would never have known who to praise or what to praise for unless someone told us.
This is a gift. We have been given the knowledge of the light of the world. We can celebrate this gift by praising God for the people he sent to tell us about him, and going out to tell others ourselves!