All Creation Praises God

OUR LESSONS THIS month, which have focused on giving praise to God, have revealed important Biblical truths concerning his special love for mankind. The Scriptures make manifest that God’s first creation was his only begotten Son. His obedient Son then was used as the instrument for creating all other things, under the direction of his Heavenly Father. Preeminent among God’s creation were our first parents, Adam and Eve, who were specially blessed by receiving dominion over all other earthly creations.—Ps. 8:3-9

In these lessons, we have also seen that God designed a plan to bless all mankind through the gift of his only begotten Son. Through him, the price of redemption was provided for all mankind, so that they can be released from the curse of death brought about by Adam’s disobedience. (John 3:16,17; Rom. 5:12-19) Included in God’s plan was also a provision to choose a special class called the “bride of Christ” to help bestow these blessings in a coming kingdom upon the earth. (Rev. 21:2-4) God has given special provisions to help these called ones develop a Christlike character during this present Gospel Age.

Today’s lesson, taken from Psalm 148, refers not only to man giving praise to God, but also to the appropriateness of all his creation to do so. In the first five verses, we find instructions to the angelic hosts to give praise. The angels knew God’s Son in his prehuman existence and therefore sang praises at his birth as Jesus in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:13-14) As they see the full plan of God continuing to unfold to its ultimate completion, the holy angels will joyously sing praises before the throne of God throughout eternity.—Rev. 5:13; 7:11,12

Verse six of our lesson gives the assurance that God’s creations are “stablished … for ever and ever.” Some have denied this promise by the erroneous teaching that the earth will be destroyed. The Scriptures, however, consistently affirm God’s promise as stated in this verse. One such example emphatically declares, “The earth abideth for ever.”—Eccles. 1:4

Other components of creation are spoken of in Psalm 148 as rendering praise to God. “Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children.”—vss. 7-12

The psalmist summarizes the privilege of all creation to praise God in verses 13 and 14—“Let them [all those mentioned in previous verses] praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Finally, specific mention is made of God’s “saints,” or holy ones, and Israel, as giving praise to God. The Psalm concludes: “He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.” We look forward to the time when all creation will praise God!