Psalm 103:21

Psalm 103:21

Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts

It’s not just angels who are invited to “Praise the Lord,” all the heavenly hosts are included in the summons. The hosts of heaven are known to include cherubim, seraphim and archangels and, as we have noted, there are Scriptures that refer to the “sons of God” who appear to be heavenly creatures who meet in the heavenly council that is ruled by the Lord God. (Psalm 82 and Job 1 describe such events.)  In other words, the heavenly hosts are not just angels, there are other creatures that serve and worship the Lord God and who are included in the call to “Praise the Lord.” 

In Isaiah 6:1-8 seraphs are 6 winged celestial beings although the word “saraph” means burning and when used as a noun, refers to a serpent. Were these creatures like fiery serpents? Isaiah certainly sees them as winged, heavenly beings who have a passion for doing the work of God.

The term “Cherubim” comes from an ancient word that means to bless; in Scripture these creatures seem to be attending directly to the Lord God. Ezekiel portrays them as having two pairs of wings and four faces – a lion, an ox, an eagle and a human! Cherubim first appear as guardians of the Garden of Eden; their form was very familiar to the Israelites as they guarded the Mercy Seat in the Tabernacle / Temple. However, the Psalms speak of the Lord riding upon these heavenly creatures and being seen on the wings of the wind. Psalm 18:10. It seems to me that cherubim served the Lord directly, they are working creatures that are available to carry out His commands.

Whoever and whatever the heavenly hosts may be, they are servants who carry out the Lord’s will and as such, they are commanded to praise Him, to honour and revere Him. 

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