What Does Psalm 148:11 Mean in the King James?

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

Psalm 148:11 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Earthly authority is not outside the chorus: kings and judges are named among those summoned to praise.

THE MEANING

The verse gathers kings, peoples, princes, and judges into one present summons. Rank does not place anyone beyond the praise due to God; even the power to govern and decide belongs within the created order.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that earthly authority stands above accountability: kings and judges remain part of the world called to praise.

THE ROOT

שֹׁפְטֵי

shoftei

GROWS FROM

שפט

shaphat

To judge, decide, or govern.

“judges” in this verse is shoftei. The root also gives mishpat, judgment and justice, linking the judge to the act of deciding what is right. This verse places that power beside kings and peoples in the same summons, so no earthly office stands apart from praise.

ALSO GROWS

shofet: Judge

שׁוֹפֵט

This is the singular form for a judge, the office named in the verse.

mishpat: Judgment, justice

מִשְׁפָּט

It shows that judging is bound up with the weighing of what is right, not merely holding a title.

THE PATTERN

No earthly rank lies outside the summons for all creation to praise.

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

Psalm 138:4 · KJVKings, named among earth’s rulers, are explicitly included among those who praise.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:11 · KJVThe scope widens to every knee and tongue, leaving no person outside the recognition described.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:6 · KJVThe summons reaches every breathing thing, from rulers to all living creatures.

THE THREAD

Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Psalm 96:10 · KJV

Psalm 148 names earthly judges among those drawn into praise; here the same ⁨שפט⁩ (shaphat, judge) root names the LORD’s judging of the world. The shared root places earthly judgment within a larger order whose stability and rightness rest in God.

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