Psalms 135
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayer and prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies. (Psa 137:1-9) rivers of Babylon--the name of the city used for the whole country. remembered Zion--or, Jerusalem, as in Psa 132:13.
Open source ↗Praise ye the Lord,.... Or hallelujah; which may be considered as the title of the psalm; as in the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions: praise ye the name of the Lord; that is, the Lord himself, and the perfections of his nature; his greatness, goodness, grace, and mercy; his holiness, justice, power, truth, and faithfulness; and also his word, by which he makes known himself, and is a distinguishing blessing to his people, and to be praised for it; see Psa 48:1; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord; priests and Levites, and ministers of the word, and all the people of God; who once were the servants of sin, Satan, and the world, but now by the grace of God become his servants; see Rom 6:17. Some observe that the word praise is here used three times, which is thought not to be without a mystery; and may have regard to the three divine Persons in the Godhead, who are each to be praised; the Father for electing grace, the Son for redeeming grace, and the Spirit for regenerating and sanctifying grace.
Open source ↗The beginning is taken from Psa 134:1; Psa 135:2 recalls Psa 116:19 (cf. Psa 92:14); and Psa 135:4 is an echo of Deu 7:6. The servants of Jahve to whom the summons is addressed, are not, as in Psa 134:1., His official servants in particular, but according to Psa 135:2, where the courts, in the plural, are allotted to them as their standing-place, and according to Psa 135:19-20, those who fear Him as a body. The threefold Jahve at the beginning is then repeated in Jāh (הללוּ־יהּ, cf. note 1 to PsPsa 104:35), Jahve, and Jāh. The subject of כּי נעים is by no means Jahve (Hupfeld), whom they did not dare to call נעים in the Old Testament, but either the Name, according to Ps 54:8 (Luther, Hitzig), or, which is favoured by Psa 147:1 (cf. Pro 22:18), the praising of His Name (Appolinaris: ἐπεὶ τόδε καλὸν ἀείδειν): His Name to praise is a delightful employ, which is incumbent on Israel as the people of His choice and of His possession.
Open source ↗Here is, 1. The duty we are called to - to praise the Lord, to praise his name; praise him, and again praise him. We must not only thank him for what he has done for us, but praise him for what he is in himself and has done for others; take all occasions to speak well of God and to give his truths and ways a good word. 2. The persons that are called upon to do this - the servants of the Lord, the priests and Levites that stand in his house, and all the devout and pious Israelites that stand in the courts of his house to worship there, Psa 135:2. Those that have most reason to praise God who are admitted to the privileges of his house, and those see most reason who there behold his beauty and taste his bounty; from them it is expected, for to that end they enjoy their places. Who should praise him if they do not? 3. The reasons why we should praise God. (1.) Because he whom we are to praise is good, and goodness is that which every body will speak well of. He is good to all, and we must give him the praise of that. His goodness is his glory, and we must make mention of it to his glory. (2.) Because the work is its own wages: Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant. It is best done with a cheerful spirit, and we shall have the pleasure of having done our duty. It is a heaven upon earth to be praising God; and the pleasure of that should quite put our mouths out of taste for the pleasures of sin. (3.) Because of the peculiar privileges of God's people (Psa 135:4): The Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself, and therefore Jacob is bound to praise him; for therefore God chose a people to himself that they might be unto him for a name and a praise (Jer 13:11), and therefore Jacob has abundant matter for praise, being thus dignified and distinguished. Israel is God's peculiar…
Open source ↗Ps 135 God, the Creator and the Lord of history, “made heaven and earth” (134:3). He deserves praise because, unlike idols, he redeems his people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… זָמַר (zâmar, H2167) — play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… נָעִים (nâʻîym, H5273) — delightful (objective or subjective, literal or figurative)
Open source ↗יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity סְגֻלָּה (çᵉgullâh, H5459) — wealth (as closely shut up)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the…
Open source ↗נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בָּרָק (bârâq, H1300) — lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… זֵכֶר (zêker, H2143) — a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD!
that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,