Psalms 148 is a sweeping call to worship that begins with the same command: “Praise the LORD!” This repeated call frames the psalm as a universal call to ALL that God has made to praise and worship Him! We are to make joyful noise, to reflect His glory and to make Him known. We are made with the purpose to worship our Divine Maker, to Praise the Lord! Nothing gives us more joy than to be in His presence to worship Him.

First, the psalmist calls for praise from the heavens (v.1–6). Angels, sun, moon, stars, and the waters above the sky are all commanded to lift their voices. Their praise is simple and pure: they praise the Lord because He is their Creator. He spoke, and they came into being. He commanded, and they stood fast. All creation in the heavens declares His glory simply by existing under His sovereign word.

How many stars are there in our galaxy? There are estimated of about 100 billion stars in the milky way, the galaxy that we reside in. How many galaxies are there in the universe? About 2 trillion observable galaxies. That means that there are an estimated 200 billion trillion stars in the observable galaxies. The total number of stars in the entire universe is unknown, but it is likely much larger than the number in the observable universe, which could extend indefinitely.

Next, the psalmist turns to the other half of creation—the earth (v.7–13). Sea creatures, mountains, weather, animals, kings and nations, young and old—everything that fills the earth is summoned to praise. If we were to continue with the idea of quantification, there are estimated of 10 quintillion of insects, 130 billions mammals, 428 billions birds and 3.5 trillion fishes. Like the heavens, they praise God because He is their Maker. Creation praises by revealing His power, His beauty, and His order.

Dear brothers and sisters, our God is a monotheistic God who is all powerful, all knowing and all present, and there is nothing that is not within His control and care. But how does this knowledge affects your perspective of life? Are you assured that your Maker knows and rules over you? Are you assured that our Lord is in control of your life and works? Can you surrender the control of your life to the Lord daily knowing that He is powerful and is good?

In a recent deacons’ meeting, we saw a presentation imagining what our church might look like when it turns 100 years old. It included proposals for possible future developments. It was an exciting exercise—until the consultant revealed the estimated construction cost. The projected cost was in the tens of millions. Someone remarked that it would require every worshipper to pledge a significant amount of money for such a project to be realized.

Counting the cost can feel daunting. Yet if we truly believe that the Maker of the heavens and the earth is our God—the One who formed the billion-trillion stars and sustains the quintillions of living creatures—what is this amount to Him?

Dear brothers and sisters, when we place God in proper perspective, our natural posture is to praise Him, for He alone is God, and His majesty rises above the heavens and the earth. Our joy, hope, and confidence do not rest in what we can or cannot do, but in our reliance on—and surrender to—the Maker of heaven and earth.

Would you trust Him?

Prayer:

O Lord our God, Maker of heaven and earth, we lift our voices in praise because You alone are worthy. Teach us to trust Your power, to rest in Your care, and to surrender our fears and plans into Your gracious hands. Strengthen our faith as we remember Your greatness, and fill our hearts with joy as we walk in obedience to You. May our lives echo the praise of all creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.