Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

PSALMS 148:9KJV
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Psalms 148:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 148:9 mean?

Psalms 148:9 calls on the natural world—mountains, hills, fruit-bearing trees, and cedars—to join in praising God. The verse highlights that all parts of creation, from the highest peaks to the most fruitful trees, are included in this call to praise.

The psalm is a song of praise, likely led by a worship leader or poet, inviting not only people but all of nature to honor God. This verse is part of a larger section where the writer lists various elements of creation, showing that praise is not limited to humans or angels but extends to every part of the world, both living and non-living.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 148:9

  • Mountains (הָרִים, harim): This word points to the grand, immovable features of the earth, emphasizing the majesty and permanence of creation called to praise.
  • Hills (גְּבָעוֹת, gevaot): These are smaller elevations than mountains, showing that both great and small parts of the landscape are included.
  • Fruitful (פְּרִי, peri): This word means "fruit," and in this context, it refers to trees that bear fruit, highlighting the abundance and life found in creation.
  • Trees (עֵץ, etz): This is the general word for tree, showing that all types of trees are included in the call to praise.
  • Cedars (אֶרֶז, erez): Cedars are strong, long-lived trees known for their height and durability, often symbolizing strength and stability in the Bible.

Why Psalms 148:9 matters

  • Psalms 148:9 makes clear that praise is not only for people or spiritual beings but for all of creation, including the natural world.
  • By naming both "fruitful trees" and "cedars," the verse shows that both productive and majestic parts of nature are valued in God's creation.
  • This verse helps the reader see the unity of creation in worship, setting up a theme that runs through the whole psalm: everything in existence is invited to honor the Creator.

Where else these words appear

“hills” Hebrew H1389 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Psalms 65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“cedars” Hebrew H730 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
  • 1 Kings 7:2 He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.
  • Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

“fruitful” Hebrew H6529 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Nehemiah 10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: