Psalms 148:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 148:7 mean?

Psalms 148:7 calls for everything on earth, including mysterious creatures called "dragons" and the deep waters, to praise the LORD. The verse expands the call to worship beyond people, inviting even the most hidden and powerful parts of creation to join in honoring God.

The psalmist is speaking to all of creation, not just humans, as part of a larger song that invites the whole universe to praise the LORD (H3068). "Dragons" (H8577) here likely refers to large sea creatures or monsters, and "deeps" (H8415) to the vast, unexplored waters. The verse reflects a worldview where every part of nature, even what seems wild or untamable, is included in giving praise.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 148:7

• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the praise is directed specifically to Israel’s God, not a generic deity.
• dragons (תַּנִּין, tannin, H8577): This word often means large sea creatures or monsters in ancient Hebrew, not the fire-breathing dragons of later stories. It points to the mysterious and powerful parts of creation that humans cannot control.
• deeps (תְּהוֹם, tehom, H8415): This term refers to the deep waters or the ocean depths, often seen as chaotic or unknown. Including "the deeps" shows that even the most remote and mysterious parts of the world are called to praise.

Why Psalms 148:7 matters

• Psalms 148:7 clears up the idea that only people or visible creatures are called to praise; it includes even the most mysterious and untamed parts of the world.
• The verse highlights the scope of the psalm’s call to worship, showing that God’s praise is meant to come from every corner of creation, not just from human voices.
• By mentioning "dragons" and "deeps," the verse connects to ancient ideas about the world’s wildness and unknown places, showing that nothing is outside God’s reach or unworthy of praising Him.