Psalm 148
Text & Translations
Psalm 148 across the major witnesses
The text of Psalm 148 has been transmitted through a rich succession of manuscript traditions. Below you will find the psalm in its principal versions — from the Hebrew Masoretic Text to the Greek Septuagint and the most widely used modern English translations. Differences in wording often reflect genuine textual variants, distinct translation philosophies, or evolving interpretive traditions.
Masoretic Text
Hebrew
הַלְלוּ יָהּ הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְהוָה מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם הַלְלוּהוּ בַּמְּרוֹמִים׃
1הַלְלוּהוּ כָל־מַלְאָכָיו הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־צְבָאָיו׃
2הַלְלוּהוּ שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־כּוֹכְבֵי אוֹר׃
3הַלְלוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְהַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָיִם׃
4יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהוָה כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָאוּ׃
5וַיַּעֲמִידֵם לָעַד לְעוֹלָם חָק־נָתַן וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר׃
6הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְהוָה מִן־הָאָרֶץ תַּנִּינִים וְכָל־תְּהֹמוֹת׃
7אֵשׁ וּבָרָד שֶׁלֶג וְקִיטוֹר רוּחַ סְעָרָה עֹשָׂה דְבָרוֹ׃
8הֶהָרִים וְכָל־גְּבָעוֹת עֵץ פְּרִי וְכָל־אֲרָזִים׃
9הַחַיָּה וְכָל־בְּהֵמָה רֶמֶשׂ וְצִפּוֹר כָּנָף׃
10מַלְכֵי־אֶרֶץ וְכָל־לְאֻמִּים שָׂרִים וְכָל־שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ׃
11בַּחוּרִים וְגַם־בְּתוּלוֹת זְקֵנִים עִם־נְעָרִים׃
12יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהוָה כִּי־נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ הוֹדוֹ עַל־אֶרֶץ וְשָׁמָיִם׃
13וַיָּרֶם קֶרֶן לְעַמּוֹ תְּהִלָּה לְכָל־חֲסִידָיו לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרֹבוֹ הַלְלוּ־יָהּ׃
14About this translation
The authoritative Hebrew text as preserved by the Masoretes (c. 6th–10th century CE), based on earlier manuscript traditions. The psalm is numbered 148 in the Hebrew canon.
King James Version (1611)
English
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
About this translation
The Authorized Version of 1611, translated under King James I of England. Its rendering of Psalm 148 has shaped English-language worship and literature for four centuries.
English Standard Version (2001)
English
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
About this translation
A formally equivalent translation produced by Crossway, aiming for word-for-word accuracy while maintaining literary quality. Widely used in academic and evangelical contexts.
New International Version (2011)
English
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever — he issued a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD.
About this translation
A dynamic equivalence translation produced by the Committee on Bible Translation, prioritizing natural English expression. One of the most widely read Bible translations worldwide.
New Revised Standard Version (1989)
English
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
About this translation
A revision of the RSV, widely used in academic and mainline Protestant contexts. Employs gender-inclusive language and reflects advances in textual scholarship.
Textual Variant Notes
Selected differences across the manuscript traditions
"Praise ye the LORD" vs. "Praise the LORD"
The Hebrew הַלְלוּ יָהּ (hallelu-yah) is a plural imperative. The KJV's "Praise ye" preserves the plural force; modern translations render it as a simple imperative, which is equally valid in English.
"Dragons" (KJV) vs. "sea creatures" / "sea monsters"
The Hebrew תַּנִּינִים (tanninim) refers to large sea creatures or serpents. The KJV's "dragons" reflects older English usage; modern translations prefer "sea creatures" (ESV, NIV) or "sea monsters" (NRSV), more accurately conveying the Hebrew.
"Vapour" (KJV) vs. "mist" / "clouds" / "frost"
The Hebrew קִיטוֹר (qitor) means smoke or vapor. The NRSV renders it "frost," following the Septuagint's πάγος (pagos, ice/frost), while ESV and NIV prefer "mist" or "clouds." This is a notable divergence between the Hebrew and Greek traditions.
"Horn" as a symbol
The Hebrew קֶרֶן (qeren, horn) is a metaphor for strength and dignity. All major translations retain "horn" as a recognized biblical idiom, though some add explanatory footnotes for modern readers.