Psalm 148:12 kjv
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Psalm 148:12 nkjv
Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
Psalm 148:12 niv
young men and women, old men and children.
Psalm 148:12 esv
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Psalm 148:12 nlt
young men and young women,
old men and children.
Psalm 148 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 148:7-11 | "Praise the LORD from the earth... all created things, ... beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds..." | Immediately precedes Psa 148:12, establishing a cosmic praise from all creation. |
| Ps 148:13 | "Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven." | Explains the reason for praise: God's supreme majesty and exalted name. |
| Ps 150:6 | "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!" | Broadens the call to "everything that has breath," affirming universal praise. |
| Ps 113:1-3 | "Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD... from the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised." | Calls for praise throughout the whole day and among His servants. |
| Isa 43:21 | "The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise." | Purpose of humanity's creation is explicitly to declare God's praise. |
| Isa 60:21 | "...the shoot of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified." | Emphasizes God's glory through His people as His handiwork. |
| Eph 1:11-12 | "...we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." | New Testament parallel for believers living to praise God's glory. |
| Php 1:11 | "...fruits of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." | Actions of believers lead to God's glory and praise. |
| Ps 8:2 | "Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes..." | Corroborates children's ability to praise and glorify God, even silencing adversaries. |
| Mt 21:16 | "Do you hear what these are saying? And he said to them, 'Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise”?'" | Jesus Himself quotes Ps 8:2, validating children's praise and applying it to His own time. |
| 1 Chr 16:28-29 | "Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name..." | All "families of the peoples" are called to give glory to God's name. |
| Ps 67:3-4 | "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!... For you judge the peoples with equity..." | Universal call for all peoples to praise God, recognizing His righteous rule. |
| Rev 5:13 | "And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'" | A vivid New Testament vision of cosmic, universal praise encompassing all beings. |
| Lk 19:40 | "He answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.'" | Reinforces the imperative and spontaneous nature of praise, even from inanimate objects if necessary. |
| Ps 96:1 | "Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!" | Calls for new and global praise. |
| Rom 15:9 | "...and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.'" | Shows the extension of God's praise to Gentiles, reflecting the universal scope. |
| Neh 12:43 | "And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced..." | Example of an occasion where women and children were explicitly included in public rejoicing and worship. |
| Ps 78:6 | "that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children..." | Highlights the importance of passing on the knowledge of God to future generations so they too can praise. |
| Joel 2:28 | "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." | Prophecy of God's Spirit being poured out on all age groups, empowering them for divine service, including speaking of God's glory. |
| Acts 2:17-18 | "‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy...even on my male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’" | Fulfillment of Joel 2:28, showing God's Spirit for all, empowering diverse people, implying worship and witness. |
| Ps 34:1 | "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." | Individual commitment to perpetual praise, fitting within the collective call. |
Psalm 148 verses
Psalm 148 12 Meaning
Psalm 148:12 proclaims that all age groups and both genders of humanity, specifically young men, maidens, old men, and children, are to join in the universal chorus of praise to the Lord. It signifies a complete, all-inclusive, and boundary-transcending mandate for every person, regardless of their societal standing, strength, or wisdom, to acknowledge and worship the Most High. This comprehensive call emphasizes that no one is exempt from the privilege and duty of glorifying God, highlighting the inherent value of every individual in God's eyes and their vital role in His cosmic orchestra of praise.
Psalm 148 12 Context
Psalm 148 is a powerful and visionary call for all creation to praise the Lord. It forms part of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), which collectively culminate in an exuberant outpouring of praise to God. The psalm is structured in two main sections: verses 1-6 call upon the heavens—celestial beings and cosmic elements (sun, moon, stars, heavens of heavens, waters above)—to praise God, recognizing Him as their creator and sustainer who established them with an unalterable decree. Verses 7-12 then shift to earth, summoning all earthly phenomena and beings—sea creatures, deeps, fire, hail, snow, vapor, stormy wind, mountains, hills, fruit trees, cedars, wild animals, livestock, creeping things, flying birds, kings, princes, judges, all peoples, young men, maidens, old men, and children—to join this universal symphony of worship.
Verse 12, specifically, acts as the climax of the earthly segment, providing a comprehensive enumeration of human beings across all age groups and social strata. It emphasizes the inclusive nature of this command to praise. The historical context reflects a society that, while having defined social structures, still understood the communal obligation of worship. The psalm transcends specific historical moments, serving as an eternal hymn of praise that resonates across all generations and cultures, challenging any mindset that might exclude particular groups from participation in worship. There are no direct polemics here; rather, it's an affirmation against any unspoken or cultural tendency to exclude certain groups from full participation in public worship or diminish their role. It reinforces the fundamental equality in worth before God regarding the act of praise.
Psalm 148 12 Word analysis
- Young men (Hebrew: בַּחוּרִים, bakhurim): This refers to youths or adolescent males. In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, "young men" would typically be associated with vigor, strength, potential, and the future of the community. Their inclusion emphasizes that strength and vitality are to be consecrated to God's praise, not just worldly pursuits.
- and maidens (Hebrew: וּבְתוּלוֹת, u'vtulot): This refers to young unmarried women. They represent purity, a distinct stage of life, and the potential for new families. Their specific mention ensures that both male and female youths, and thus the perpetuation of the community, are encompassed in the call to worship. It challenges cultural norms that might have relegated women to a lesser role in public life by specifically including them in this universal command to praise.
- old men (Hebrew: זְקֵנִים, zeqenim): This refers to the elders, men of advanced age. In ancient societies, elders were esteemed for their wisdom, experience, and leadership. Their inclusion signifies that accumulated wisdom and life experience should culminate in and lead others to worship God. It highlights that praise is not only for the vigorous but also for those whose lives embody knowledge and history.
- and children (Hebrew: וִיָלָדִים, vi'yladim): This term refers to young ones, encompassing both boys and girls. Their inclusion is particularly striking as it demonstrates that praise is not contingent on understanding or maturity in an adult sense. It speaks to the inherent and uninhibited ability of even the youngest to express adoration for their Creator, echoing passages like Psalm 8:2, which states that God establishes strength through the praise of babes. It underscores the idea that praise is natural and intuitive, not just an intellectual exercise.
Words-group analysis
- Young men and maidens, old men and children: This specific pairing and listing encapsulate the entire human age spectrum and both genders. It signifies that every human being, regardless of their developmental stage or sex, is accountable and called to praise. This comprehensive demographic sweep leaves no one out, promoting universal inclusion in worship. It is a powerful affirmation that God's desire for praise spans across all perceived societal divisions of age and gender.
Psalm 148 12 Bonus section
The specific inclusion of "children" (ילדים, yladim) in the call to praise in Psalm 148:12 holds profound theological significance. In an ancient world where children might have been seen primarily as dependents or future inheritors, their explicit mention here elevates their spiritual capacity. It implies that genuine worship stems not necessarily from intellectual comprehension or complex theological understanding but from an innate, God-given capacity to recognize and adore their Creator. This resonates with the New Testament concept that "unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 18:3), highlighting the simple, dependent faith and spontaneous worship often characteristic of children. The verse also implicitly addresses the intergenerational responsibility to pass on the knowledge of God, ensuring that these different age groups are equipped and encouraged to praise God through every stage of their lives.
Psalm 148 12 Commentary
Psalm 148:12 serves as the crescendo of the earthly call to praise, explicitly detailing humanity's role within the cosmic choir. After commanding the heavens and the natural world, the psalmist turns directly to humankind, meticulously listing representatives from every phase of life: "young men and maidens, old men and children." This inclusive sweep underscores the theological truth that praise is the inherent response of all humanity to its Creator. It shatters any social or age-related barriers that might arise, declaring that from the innocent heart of a child to the experienced wisdom of an elder, and from the vibrant energy of youth to the foundational role of women in community, every individual is summoned to give glory to the Lord. The passage is not just a description but a divine imperative, asserting that praising God is not an optional activity for a select few, but a fundamental duty and joyful privilege for all people, reflecting the one unified name of the Lord who is to be praised. This unified worship points to the unity within God's creation and the profound worth He bestows upon every person, valuing each voice in the chorus of praise. Practically, this verse challenges believers to involve all generations in worship, recognize the contributions of all ages, and teach even the youngest to glorify God.