Psalms 148:2
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 148:2
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse doesn't just call for angels to praise God, but for all of His "hosts" as well. This term likely refers to the vast, ordered armies of angelic beings, emphasizing their sheer number, perfect obedience, and readiness to serve their divine Commander, inviting us to join this celestial multitude in worship.
This psalm launches into a grand cosmic call to worship, beginning with the highest beings in heaven and moving outward. The immediate context is a sweeping invitation for angels and all heavenly armies, often interpreted as spiritual beings and celestial bodies, to join in praising God. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will extend this call to the sun, moon, stars, and eventually all of creation on earth, highlighting the vastness of God's dominion and the intended scope of worship.
Why would the Bible call on beings who are already in God's presence to praise Him? It reveals their primary purpose and our connection to them.
This verse calls upon God's angels and their vast armies to praise Him. This isn't an optional task for them; it's their eternal calling. As pure spirits, angels were created specifically to serve and worship God. Their existence is a testament to His glory, and their constant praise reflects their perfect understanding and immediate access to His presence.
Think of them as the heavenly choir, always in tune and always ready. They don't need to be convinced or reminded; they exist for this purpose. Their praise is pure, unhindered, and without the distractions that often plague human worship. This highlights the inherent dignity and purpose of worship in the divine realm.
The term 'hosts' might make you think of an army, but in this context, it expands our view of who and what is called to praise God.
The word 'hosts' here (sometimes translated as 'armies') refers not only to the angels but can also encompass the grand array of celestial beings and even the heavenly bodies. Commentators note that while angels are the primary focus here, the term is broad enough to suggest the ordered, powerful, and obedient nature of God's entire heavenly creation.
This expansive view of 'hosts' underscores God's supreme authority over all realms – visible and invisible. It hints at the ordered ranks and immense numbers of spiritual beings subject to His command, and by extension, the orderly magnificence of the cosmos itself, all existing to serve Him.
The Psalm invites angels to praise God. Does this mean angels need our encouragement? Not at all! It’s designed to stir us up.
This verse isn't about the angels needing a pep talk. They are already perfectly engaged in worship. Instead, the Psalmist uses a poetic device – a 'poetical rapture' as one commentator puts it – to draw us in. By calling on the highest, noblest creatures to praise God, David aims to ignite a fiercer passion for worship within his own heart and ours.
Understand the original words
mal'akh · Hebrew Noun
Spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, carry out His will, and act as messengers. They are witnesses and participants in the cosmic worship of the Creator.
tsaba' · Hebrew Noun
Often refers to the vast collection of celestial bodies or spiritual beings (angelic armies) under God's command. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the entirety of the created order.
This passage echoes Psalm 148, explicitly calling upon the 'host of heaven' (which includes angels) to worship God, reinforcing the idea of heavenly beings leading praise.
Luke 2:13This verse describes a 'multitude of the heavenly host' appearing and praising God at the birth of Jesus, illustrating the direct involvement of these angelic 'hosts' in significant divine events.
Isaiah 6:3Here, the seraphim cry out 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!' This demonstrates the continuous worship of God by angelic beings, referred to as His 'hosts,' in direct response to His holiness and sovereignty.
Job 38:7This verse mentions the 'morning stars' singing together and the 'sons of God' shouting for joy at creation, linking the angelic hosts with the broader celestial display in the praise of God from the very beginning.
poolePsalms 148:2: "Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts."
He inviteth the angels here, and the senseless creatures afterward, to praise God; not as if the former needed, or the latter were capable of, his exhortation, but only by a poetical rapture; the design whereof is, that men by this means might be more provoked to this duty. The angels are called hosts, here and 1 Kings 22:19 , for their vast numbers, exquisite order, and perfect subjection to their General, the Lord of…
calvinPsalms 148:1-6: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights."
- Praise ye Jehovah from the heavens, praise him in the heights. 2. Praise him, all ye his angels; praise him, all ye his armies. 3. Praise him, ye sun and moon; praise him, ye shining stars. 4. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters above the heavens. 5. Let them praise the name of Jehovah; for he commanded, and they were created. 6. And he established them for ever; he hath set for…
The verse doesn't just call for angels to praise God, but for all of His "hosts" as well. This term likely refers to the vast, ordered armies of angelic beings, emphasizing their sheer number, perfect obedience, and readiness to serve their divine Commander, inviting us to join this celestial multitude in worship.
This psalm launches into a grand cosmic call to worship, beginning with the highest beings in heaven and moving outward. The immediate context is a sweeping invitation for angels and all heavenly armies, often interpreted as spiritual beings and celestial bodies, to join in praising God. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will extend this call to the sun, moon, stars, and eventually all of creation on earth, highlighting the vastness of God's dominion and the intended scope of worship.
This psalm launches into a grand cosmic call to worship, beginning with the highest beings in heaven and moving outward. The immediate context is a sweeping invitation for angels and all heavenly armies, often interpreted as spiritual beings and celestial bodies, to join in praising God. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will extend this call to the sun, moon, stars, and eventually all of creation on earth, highlighting the vastness of God's dominion and the intended scope of worship.
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It's like standing at the edge of a vast, magnificent concert hall where angels are already singing. The Psalmist isn't telling them how to sing; he's inviting us to join the chorus, to be inspired by their devotion, and to realize that our own worship, though different, is part of the same grand symphony. He desires to join with the elect angels in praising God, showing that our worship is meant to have a heavenly quality.
"Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!" — The verse doesn't just call for angels to praise God, but for all of His "hosts" as well. This term likely refers to the vast, ordered armies of angelic beings, emphasizing their sheer number, perf…