  The FIR/submm window is one of the least-studied regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum, yet this wavelength range is absolutely crucial for
understanding the physical processes and properties of the ISM in galaxies. The
advent of the Herschel Space Observatory has opened up the entire FIR/submm
window for spectroscopic studies. We present the first FIR/submm spectroscopic
results on both nearby and distant galaxies obtained in the frame of two
Herschel key programs: the Very Nearby Galaxies Survey and the Herschel ATLAS.
