Contradiction with Genesis 1:6-8
This describes the creation of the firmament dividing the waters, seeming to support rather than contradict the concept of waters above the heavens mentioned in Psalms 148:4.
Genesis 1:6-8: And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [firmament: Heb. expansion]
Contradiction with Genesis 7:11-12
This describes the breaking of the fountains of the deep and windows of heaven to bring the flood, suggesting there were waters above, aligning with Psalms 148:4 rather than contradicting it.
Genesis 7:11-12: In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. [windows: or, floodgates]
Contradiction with Job 26:8
This verse speaks of God binding up the waters in thick clouds, which complements rather than contradicts Psalms 148:4 by describing how God contains the waters.
Job 26:8: He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
Contradiction with Proverbs 8:28
This verse supports Psalms 148:4 by describing God strengthening the fountains of the deep, related to waters.
Proverbs 8:28: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Contradiction with Jeremiah 10:13
This verse relates to God causing vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth and bringing rain, which is consistent with the idea of waters above.
Jeremiah 10:13: When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. [multitude: or, noise] [with: or, for]
Paradox #1
Psalms 148:4 calls for praise from the "waters above the skies." Some people might see a conflict between this verse and modern scientific understanding of the earth and the atmosphere, as science does not support the existence of waters above the sky. In ancient cosmology, this made sense but can seem inconsistent with current knowledge. However, many believers interpret this metaphorically or symbolically, so it might not be a theological issue for everyone.
Paradox #2
Some people see a conflict in the verse because it mentions "waters above the heavens," which can seem inconsistent with modern scientific understanding of the sky and space. In ancient times, people often believed in a layered universe with water above the sky, which doesn't align with today's scientific views of outer space.
Paradox #3
The possible contradiction with Psalms 148:4 is the mention of "waters above the heavens." In modern scientific understanding, there is no body of water existing above the sky or outer space. The atmosphere does contain water vapor, but space beyond Earth's atmosphere does not hold water in the way the verse implies. This could conflict with our knowledge of the structure and composition of the universe.