How Do Crocodiles Praise The Lord?

Psalm 148:7-14

7Praise the LORD from the earth,

you creatures of the ocean depths,

8fire and hail, snow and storm,

wind and weather that obey him,

9mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

10wild animals and all livestock,

reptiles and birds,

11kings of the earth and all people,

rulers and judges of the earth,

12young men and maidens,

old men and children.

13Let them all praise the name of the LORD.

For his name is very great;

his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

14He has made his people strong,

honoring his godly ones—

the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the LORD!

It’s easy to think of birds and other lovely creatures praising God, but it’s harder to think of crocodiles and pesky mosquitoes doing it. And how do “snow and storm . . . mountains and all hills” praise him?

Anyone and any thing can praise God by fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. In this way nonhuman creations glorify God by their daily existence. But we have a higher privilege, for part of the purpose for which we have been created involves knowing, loving, and obeying God.

The closing verses of this psalm reveal some additional secrets about our relationship with God. God is very great, and his glory towers over the heaven and earth. That’s awesome. But the final words of the psalm (preceding “Praise the Lord”) speak of those who are “close to him.”

You get the picture of a mighty king or president with a three- or four-year-old son. The king may be conducting official business, while the young child is clinging to his father’s pant leg. It is the closeness to the King that makes our praise more meaningful.

When you think of all that has gone on in this psalm, it may seem strange to conclude with “close to him.” But that’s the wonder of our great God and King. Although the entire created universe is in awe of him, he gives us the privilege of intimacy with him, and of calling him “Dear Father” (see Galatians 4:6).

Praise ye the Savior! great is his compassion,

Tenderly cares he for his chosen people;

Young men and maidens, ye old men and children,

Praise ye the Savior!

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Psalm at a Glance

In the first six verses of Psalm 148, all of heaven carried the melody in this mighty anthem. Now in the remaining verses, the melody is passed down to the earth and her inhabitants, so that we all might have our turn in singing God’s praise.

Bible Networking

In verse 14 we have an amazing climax to an amazing psalm! This God, who deserves the acclaim of every created being, honors his own people by being close to them. This resembles what will happen at the coming of the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3).