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.
Psalm 148:11-13
As we continue on in our series, we find in this passage another group that is supposed to be praising the Lord. We have already seen several things that praise the Lord: the sun, the moon, stars, the heavens, fire, hail, snow, wind, mountains, trees, beasts, cattle and fish. Now we come to those we would expect to be praising the Lord.
In these verses, we find “kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges… both young men, and maidens; old men, and children.” In short, everyone is supposed to be praising the Lord – from the highest kings and princes down the lowest paupers. They are all supposed to be praising the Lord. Young men and women all the way up to old men and women (I will let you categorize yourself) are all supposed to be praising Him.
We have now come to the category that often does not praise Him. So far, everything on the list that is supposed to praise Him praises Him. Nature does what it is supposed to do. People are the rebellious ones. People are the ones who do not do what they are supposed to do. Kings often do not praise Him. Judges often do not praise Him. There are many people, both young and old, who do not praise Him. But they all should.
“His name alone is excellent.” We praise God because He is God. We are not. He created us. He redeemed us. Everything that we have, He has given to us. Every single one of us should be praising the Lord. Are we?
Justified Freely 