תהלים, פרק קמ״ח, פסוק ז׳

After calling upon the heavenly bodies to praise the Creator, the focus shifts downward to the earthly realm. This transition completes the circle of creation. Divine abundance has descended to the lowest, most material points of existence, and now an upward movement back to God begins through songs of praise [מלבי״ם]. The call demands that the sound of gratitude and awe must now echo from the physical world and all its inhabitants [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Because earthly elements and creatures lack human intellect, the primary approach among commentators is that this call is actually directed at people. When humans observe the wonders and raw power of nature, that contemplation moves them to praise God for His creation [רד״ק, מאירי]. However, ancient traditions view the song of creation as a deep, tangible spiritual reality, not just a metaphor. According to this view, nature itself literally sings; in one instance, trees wrapped in heavenly fire sang praises while sages explored the secrets of the Divine Chariot [תורה תמימה].

The unfolding of earthly praise begins with the element of water, simply because water existed before the other elements and the dry land during the dawn of creation [רד״ק, אלשיך, מלבי״ם]. Deep within this water dwell massive fish and giant sea creatures [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These ocean dwellers are the largest living things in nature, far surpassing any land animals in size [רד״ק]. Some specifically identify these giants as the Leviathan and its mate, creatures that hold hidden secrets regarding the future reward waiting for the righteous [אלשיך].

Accompanying these giant creatures are the vast depths themselves, referring to the ocean floor and the hidden waters deep within the earth. These are profound, hidden places completely untouched by surface heat or dryness [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי]. These upper and lower depths are far more than simple reserves of water. They act as foundational forces that sustain the entire world. They communicate with one another like a loyal royal legion accepting the absolute rule of God, making it perfectly fitting that a grand song of praise rises from their dark waters [אלשיך].