Most dramatic TV shows have a twist, a surprise moment that takes the story in an unexpected direction. The tramp is really an heir to the family fortune. The likable character is the one guilty of the crime. The author of those moments hopes you will say, “I didn’t see that coming.” Psalm 148 also has a dramatic and unexpected twist.
“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly armies. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created. He set them in position forever and ever; he gave an order that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, all sea monsters and ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes his command, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creatures that crawl and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men as well as young women, old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth. He has raised up a horn for his people, resulting in praise to all his faithful ones, to the Israelites, the people close to him. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 148, CSB)
The first thirteen verses of the psalm point to how all creation praises God. Nothing is left out as it rings “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.” Paul picks up the same thread in his Phillipain letter. “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11, CSB)
Psalm 148 could have ended with verse 13, the verse we repeated above. But the twist is the final verse of the psalm. “He has raised up a horn for his people, resulting in praise to all his faithful ones, to the Israelites, the people close to him. Hallelujah!” This is striking since the whole psalm focuses on creations’ praise for God, but this final verse speaks praise to and for His people.
As with all good twists, there is a bit of a mystery. What exactly does “horn” mean in this context? In Biblical texts, the horn is symbolic of strength and authority. Kings and nations are portrayed as horns. In the psalmist’s time, blowing a horn was also a call to worship. I lean towards the latter; the sounding of the horn is a rallying point for the faithful and godly.
This twist speaks the truth of God’s economy. As we praise Him, He exalts over us. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Jesus put it this way, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11, CSB) If we praise ourselves, we will be humbled. But, if we humbly praise God, we will be exalted.
Many search for holiness, right living, and ways to please God. Perhaps the road to godliness and Christlikeness isn’t pridefully following a list of do’s and don’ts but striving to praise God in all things. Now, that’s a twist. Hallelujah!
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