Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 171:681 (Jan 2014)
Article: Creation Theology In Psalm 148
Author: Daniel J. Estes

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Creation Theology In Psalm 148

Daniel J. Estes

Daniel J. Estes is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio.

When the topic of creation in the Psalms is considered, the attention of exegetes and theologians most often turns toward Psalms 8, 19, 29, and 104, the prominent nature psalms. These psalms, to be sure, are worthy of the extensive scrutiny that they have received. However, perhaps because its voice is heard only in the final few bars of the Psalter, Psalm 148 has appeared less frequently in discussions of nature or creation psalms. In fact, in his recent article on creation in the Psalms, James Mays devotes only two sentences to Psalm 148.1 That is regrettable, because this hymn has much to contribute to a biblical theology of the created world. This article will in a small way endeavor to redress this oversight in the literature.2 First, it will survey briefly the form and rhetorical features of the psalm. Then it will analyze some of the prominent exegetical points in the text. Finally, the major part of the article will synthesize the creation theology embedded in Psalm 148.

Form And Rhetoric Of Psalm 148

In form-critical terms, Psalm 148 follows the standard structure of the hymn, or descriptive praise psalm, with the call to praise followed

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by the cause for praise, introduced by the conjunction כִּי. In this specific descriptive praise psalm, two strophes of descriptive praise occur, introduced and concluded with the exhortation “Praise the Lord.” In the first strophe, Yahweh is to be praised from the heavens in verses 1-5a, with the cause for praise defined in verses 5b–6. In the second strophe, Yahweh is to be praised from the earth in verses 7-13a, with the cause for praise given in verses 13b–14. The rhetorical artistry of the psalmist adapts the basic hymnic form by creating two parallel strophes that summon and substantiate the praise of Yahweh. The ca...