Psalm 148 10

Psalm 148:10 kjv

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Psalm 148:10 nkjv

Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;

Psalm 148:10 niv

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

Psalm 148:10 esv

Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!

Psalm 148:10 nlt

wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,

Psalm 148 verses

Psalm 148 10 Meaning

Psalm 148:10 is a direct instruction for various categories of animal life—wild beasts, domesticated cattle, creeping things, and winged fowl—to participate in the universal call to praise the Lord. It signifies that the entire spectrum of living creatures on Earth, from the powerful wild animal to the smallest crawling insect, and from the beast of burden to the high-flying bird, has an intrinsic role in magnifying the Creator. Their very existence and unique attributes are a silent testament to God’s wisdom, power, and glory, beckoning all to join in adoration.

Psalm 148 10 Context

Psalm 148 is a powerful hymn of praise, part of the "Hallel" psalms (145-150), which often culminate in calls for universal adoration of the Lord. The psalm opens by commanding the heavens and heavenly bodies to praise God (vv. 1-6). It then transitions to the earth and its phenomena, calling for praise from deep seas, fire, hail, snow, vapor, and stormy wind (vv. 7-8). Verse 9 expands this to mountains, hills, fruit trees, and cedars. Psalm 148:10 precisely fits into this structure by extending the call for praise to the terrestrial animal kingdom, covering a vast array of creatures, ensuring no part of creation is excluded from this grand cosmic symphony. This all-encompassing invocation then leads into the praise of humanity, from kings to common people (vv. 11-12), emphasizing God's universal dominion. The historical context reflects an ancient Israelite worldview that profoundly recognized YHWH as the sole Creator and Sustainer of all existence, implicitly contrasting with pagan beliefs where aspects of nature might be deified.

Psalm 148 10 Word analysis

• Beasts (חַיָּה - chayyah): Refers to wild animals or living creatures generally. It emphasizes untamed nature, animals not under human control. This suggests that even the creatures that remain independent of human influence contribute to God's praise by their very wildness and inherent design.
• and all cattle (וְכָל-בְּהֵמָה - v'khol-behemah): "Khol" means "all" or "every," highlighting totality. "Behemah" typically refers to domesticated animals or livestock. This inclusion contrasts with wild animals, showing that both the untamed and the tamed, the free and the working animals, have a part in praising God. Their domestication under humanity's stewardship (granted by God) does not negate their independent capacity to glorify their Creator.
• creeping things (רֶמֶשׂ - remes): This term is a broad category for creatures that move by crawling or creeping on the ground, encompassing insects, reptiles, and smaller, low-to-the-ground animals. The inclusion of remes underscores the all-encompassing nature of God's glory—even creatures often overlooked, feared, or deemed insignificant by humans are valuable parts of God's creation and have a place in the cosmic hymn.
• and winged fowl (וְצִפּוֹר כָּנָף - v'tzippor kanaf): "Tzippor" refers to birds or fowl, and "kanaf" means "wing." The phrase "winged fowl" specifies and emphasizes the birds' ability to fly and occupy the sky. It represents all aerial creatures, completing the spectrum of animal life from ground-dwellers to those soaring high above, further illustrating the comprehensive reach of creation's praise to its Maker.

Words-group analysis:

• "Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged fowl": This phrase functions as a comprehensive merism, representing all categories of animal life on Earth. By naming wild and domesticated, ground-bound and airborne, and generally perceived larger creatures down to smaller "creeping" ones, the psalm leaves no creature uncalled in its invitation to praise God. It underscores the universal scope of God's creation and His sovereignty over every living thing, regardless of its size, habitat, or human perception. Each type of creature, by its very existence, its behavior, its unique form, and its fulfillment of God's purposes, glorifies the Creator.

Psalm 148 10 Bonus section

• The deliberate categorization of animals in Psalm 148:10 mirrors the created order outlined in Gen 1, demonstrating a theological understanding that all distinct forms of life have their origin in and purpose from the one God.
• The progression in Psalm 148 from the highest heavens (vv. 1-6) down to the diverse creatures on earth (vv. 7-10) and finally to all humanity (vv. 11-14) creates a powerful descending literary structure that gathers the entire cosmos into a single chorus of praise directed to the Lord.
• This verse contributes to a comprehensive biblical theology of creation care, suggesting that animals have intrinsic value because they praise God simply by existing as He made them, not just for their utility to humanity.

Psalm 148 10 Commentary

Psalm 148:10 masterfully expands the psalmist’s magnificent summons to praise, drawing in the entirety of the animal kingdom. Far from being a mere biological classification, this verse underscores the inherent testimony of creation to its Maker. "Beasts" (chayyah), signifying the untamed wild, bear witness through their power, survival, and primal instincts—attributes bestowed by God. "All cattle" (behemah), representing domesticated creatures, testify through their service and submission, their very existence often entwined with humanity's. The "creeping things" (remes), often perceived as insignificant or even repugnant, teach humility and remind us that God's meticulous design extends to the smallest and most often overlooked. Finally, "winged fowl" (tzippor kanaf)—birds of every kind—speak through their soaring grace, their songs, and their vibrant lives in the sky, completing the panoramic view of earthly creatures.

Each category of animal, in its distinct created essence and living function, spontaneously and continually echoes the glory of God. Their "praise" is not verbal in a human sense, but a continuous demonstration of divine power and artistry. Their very being, as crafted and sustained by the Creator, is a perpetual declaration of His magnificence and wisdom. This verse implicitly encourages humanity to recognize this universal symphony and join consciously and vocally in the praise that creation, in its own way, incessantly offers to the Most High. It’s a call for us to observe creation and be led to the Creator, acknowledging His authorship and supreme reign over all life.