4 For the Lord has taken Jacob for himself, and Israel for his property.
For you are a holy people to the Lord your God: marked out by the Lord your God to be his special people out of all the nations on the face of the earth. The Lord did not give you his love or take you for himself because you were more in number than any other people; for you were the smallest of the nations:
If now you will truly give ear to my voice and keep my agreement, you will be my special property out of all the peoples: for all the earth is mine: And you will be a kingdom of priests to me, and a holy nation. These are the words which you are to say to the children of Israel.
The beasts of the field will give me honour, the jackals and the ostriches: because I send out waters in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country, to give drink to the people whom I have taken for myself: Even the people whom I made to be the witnesses of my praise.
Ho, ho! go in flight from the land of the north, says the Lord: for I have sent you far and wide to the four winds of heaven, says the Lord. Ho! Zion, go in flight from danger, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon. For this is what the Lord of armies has said: In the way of glory he has sent me to the nations which have taken your goods: for anyone touching you is touching what is most dear to him.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 135
Commentary on Psalms 135 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 135
Ps 135:1-21. A Psalm of praise, in which God's relations to His Church, His power in the natural world, and in delivering His people, are contrasted with the vanity of idols and idol-worship.
1-3. In the general call for praise, the priests, that stand in the house of the Lord, are specially mentioned.
4-7. God's choice of Israel is the first reason assigned for rendering praise; the next, His manifested greatness in creation and providence.
6. heaven, and … seas, and all … ends of the earth—denote universality.
8, 9. The last plague [Ex 12:29] is cited to illustrate His "tokens and wonders."
10-12. The conquest of Canaan was by God's power, not that of the people.
13. heritage—or, "possession."
name … memorial—Each denote that by which God is made known.
14. will judge—do justice (Ps 72:2).
repent himself—change His dealings (Ps 90:13).
15-18. (Compare Ps 115:4-8).
18. are like unto them—or, "shall be like," &c. Idolaters become spiritually stupid and perish with their idols (Isa 1:31).
19-21. (Compare Ps 115:9-11). There we have "trust" for "bless" here.
21. out of Zion—(Compare Ps 110:2; 134:3). From the Church, as a center, His praise is diffused throughout the earth.