148:4 heaven of heavens. Psalm 148:1-6 of this central psalm of these five praise psalms exhorts the entire celestial creation, both the stellar and angelic hosts of heaven, to praise the Lord when He has redeemed and restored the creation.

148:4 above the heavens. The “waters above the heavens” (Genesis 1:7) were presumably all precipitated at the time of the Flood. But since they are to be there forever (Psalm 148:6), they must be restored somehow in the redeemed and renewed earth. See notes on Revelation 21, etc.

148:5 were created. This clearly speaks of fiat, instantaneous creation, not creation occurring over millions of years. Note also Psalm 33:9; Exodus 20:11.

148:6 for ever and ever. Although the earth and its elements must yet be cleansed by fire (II Peter 3:10), God’s physical universe will endure forever. God is not capricious; He does not “un-create” what He has created (Ecclesiastes 3:14). See also Psalm 78:69; 104:5; Daniel 12:3.