Psa 148:14 | KingComments | STEP | The great Creator, Whom heaven and earth must praise, is the God of Israel and Israel is His people. In the midst of creation, heaven and earth, He has “lifted up a horn for His people”. Christ is the “horn of salvation” of God’s people ( ). Through Him, God’s people have become the head of the nations. He is the “praise for all His godly ones”. The godly ones praise Him because of His undeserved favors. They are “the sons of Israel, a people near to Him”. Because of their sins, He has had to reject them for a time. He had to call them “Lo Ammi”, which means “not My people” ( ). Now they are “Ammi” again, “My people” ( ). They are no longer distant from Him, but brought close to Him. They may dwell in His presence. With that comes a new “hallelujah”, “praise the LORD”. All praise belongs to the LORD. In summary, we can say that Israel has three reasons to praise the LORD: 1. Israel is the LORD’s people. That people is His possession and He has lifted up its horn, that is, given it strength and power. 2. Israel is the LORD’s godly one, that is, His covenant people. That people, by virtue of the covenant, through the blood of the new covenant, receive the rich blessing of the LORD. 3. Israel is the people near to the LORD, which speaks of fellowship. The LORD dwells in their midst and they have access to draw near and sing praise to Him and glorify Him. Who can remain silent in the face of such glory? Therefore, the psalm concludes with the exclamation “hallelujah!” We, New Testament believers, have also been brought close to God, but in a more exalted and also more intimate way. Our home is not earth, but heaven. We have been set in Christ in the heavenly places and there in Him blessed with all spiritual blessings ( ). We are of God’s household and know Him as Father, to Whom we have free access ( ). The response that becomes us is worship the Father in spirit and truth ( ).

‏ Psalms 148:14

A People Near to Him

The great Creator, Whom heaven and earth must praise, is the God of Israel and Israel is His people. In the midst of creation, heaven and earth, He has “lifted up a horn for His people”. Christ is the “horn of salvation” of God’s people (Lk 1:69). Through Him, God’s people have become the head of the nations. He is the “praise for all His godly ones”. The godly ones praise Him because of His undeserved favors.

They are “the sons of Israel, a people near to Him”. Because of their sins, He has had to reject them for a time. He had to call them “Lo Ammi”, which means “not My people” (Hos 1:9). Now they are “Ammi” again, “My people” (Hos 1:10-11 ; Hos 2:1). They are no longer distant from Him, but brought close to Him. They may dwell in His presence. With that comes a new “hallelujah”, “praise the LORD”. All praise belongs to the LORD.

In summary, we can say that Israel has three reasons to praise the LORD:

1. Israel is the LORD’s people. That people is His possession and He has lifted up its horn, that is, given it strength and power.

2. Israel is the LORD’s godly one, that is, His covenant people. That people, by virtue of the covenant, through the blood of the new covenant, receive the rich blessing of the LORD.

3. Israel is the people near to the LORD, which speaks of fellowship. The LORD dwells in their midst and they have access to draw near and sing praise to Him and glorify Him.

Who can remain silent in the face of such glory? Therefore, the psalm concludes with the exclamation “hallelujah!”

We, New Testament believers, have also been brought close to God, but in a more exalted and also more intimate way. Our home is not earth, but heaven. We have been set in Christ in the heavenly places and there in Him blessed with all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3). We are of God’s household and know Him as Father, to Whom we have free access (Eph 2:18-19). The response that becomes us is worship the Father in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24).