Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Psalms » Chapter 135

Psalms 135:1-21 King James Version (KJV)

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 135:1-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050 Praise H1984 ye the name H8034 of the LORD; H3068 praise H1984 him, O ye servants H5650 of the LORD. H3068

2 Ye that stand H5975 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 in the courts H2691 of the house H1004 of our God, H430

3 Praise H1984 the LORD; H3050 for the LORD H3068 is good: H2896 sing praises H2167 unto his name; H8034 for it is pleasant. H5273

4 For the LORD H3050 hath chosen H977 Jacob H3290 unto himself, and Israel H3478 for his peculiar treasure. H5459

5 For I know H3045 that the LORD H3068 is great, H1419 and that our Lord H113 is above all gods. H430

6 Whatsoever the LORD H3068 pleased, H2654 that did H6213 he in heaven, H8064 and in earth, H776 in the seas, H3220 and all deep places. H8415

7 He causeth the vapours H5387 to ascend H5927 from the ends H7097 of the earth; H776 he maketh H6213 lightnings H1300 for the rain; H4306 he bringeth H3318 the wind H7307 out of his treasuries. H214

8 Who smote H5221 the firstborn H1060 of Egypt, H4714 both of man H120 and beast. H929

9 Who sent H7971 tokens H226 and wonders H4159 into the midst H8432 of thee, O Egypt, H4714 upon Pharaoh, H6547 and upon all his servants. H5650

10 Who smote H5221 great H7227 nations, H1471 and slew H2026 mighty H6099 kings; H4428

11 Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 and Og H5747 king H4428 of Bashan, H1316 and all the kingdoms H4467 of Canaan: H3667

12 And gave H5414 their land H776 for an heritage, H5159 an heritage H5159 unto Israel H3478 his people. H5971

13 Thy name, H8034 O LORD, H3068 endureth for ever; H5769 and thy memorial, H2143 O LORD, H3068 throughout all H1755 generations. H1755

14 For the LORD H3068 will judge H1777 his people, H5971 and he will repent H5162 himself concerning his servants. H5650

15 The idols H6091 of the heathen H1471 are silver H3701 and gold, H2091 the work H4639 of men's H120 hands. H3027

16 They have mouths, H6310 but they speak H1696 not; eyes H5869 have they, but they see H7200 not;

17 They have ears, H241 but they hear H238 not; neither is there H3426 any breath H7307 in their mouths. H6310

18 They that make H6213 them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth H982 in them.

19 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Israel: H3478 bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Aaron: H175

20 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Levi: H3878 ye that fear H3373 the LORD, H3068 bless H1288 the LORD. H3068

21 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 out of Zion, H6726 which dwelleth H7931 at Jerusalem. H3389 Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050

Psalms 135:1-21 American Standard (ASV)

1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise `him', O ye servants of Jehovah,

2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

4 For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, `And' Israel for his own possession.

5 For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

7 Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;

8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;

9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;

10 Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.

13 Thy name, O Jehovah, `endureth' for ever; Thy memorial `name', O Jehovah, throughout all generations.

14 For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:

20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.

21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.

Psalms 135:1-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Praise ye Jah! Praise ye the name of Jehovah, Praise, ye servants of Jehovah,

2 Who are standing in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise ye Jah! for Jehovah `is' good, Sing praise to His name, for `it is' pleasant.

4 For Jacob hath Jah chosen for Himself, Israel for His peculiar treasure.

5 For I have known that great `is' Jehovah, Yea, our Lord `is' above all gods.

6 All that Jehovah pleased He hath done, In the heavens and in earth, In the seas and all deep places,

7 Causing vapours to ascend from the end of the earth, Lightnings for the rain He hath made, Bringing forth wind from His treasures.

8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, From man unto beast.

9 He sent tokens and wonders into thy midst, O Egypt, On Pharaoh and on all his servants.

10 Who smote many nations, and slew strong kings,

11 Even Sihon king of the Amorite, And Og king of Bashan, And all kingdoms of Canaan.

12 And He gave their land an inheritance, An inheritance to Israel His people,

13 O Jehovah, Thy name `is' to the age, O Jehovah, Thy memorial to all generations.

14 For Jehovah doth judge His people, And for His servants comforteth Himself.

15 The idols of the nations `are' silver and gold, Work of the hands of man.

16 A mouth they have, and they speak not, Eyes they have, and they see not,

17 Ears they have, and they give not ear, Nose -- there is no breath in their mouth!

18 Like them are their makers, Every one who is trusting in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah, O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah,

20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah, Those fearing Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.

21 Blessed `is' Jehovah from Zion, Inhabiting Jerusalem -- praise ye Jah!

Psalms 135:1-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jehovah; praise, ye servants of Jehovah,

2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, in the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise ye Jah; for Jehovah is good: sing psalms unto his name; for it is pleasant.

4 For Jah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, Israel for his own possession.

5 For *I* know that Jehovah is great, and our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, he hath done in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps;

7 Who causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; who maketh lightnings for the rain; who bringeth the wind out of his treasuries:

8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast;

9 Who sent signs and miracles into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants;

10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings,

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And gave their land for an inheritance, an inheritance unto Israel his people.

13 Thy name, O Jehovah, is for ever; thy memorial, O Jehovah, from generation to generation.

14 For Jehovah will judge his people, and will repent in favour of his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands:

16 They have a mouth, and they speak not; eyes have they, and they see not;

17 They have ears, and they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouth.

18 They that make them are like unto them, -- every one that confideth in them.

19 House of Israel, bless ye Jehovah; house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah;

20 House of Levi, bless ye Jehovah; ye that fear Jehovah, bless Jehovah.

21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, who dwelleth at Jerusalem! Hallelujah!

Psalms 135:1-21 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,

2 You who stand in the house of Yahweh, In the courts of our God's house.

3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.

5 For I know that Yahweh is great, That our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

7 Who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings with the rain; Who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;

8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and animal;

9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, On Pharaoh, and on all his servants;

10 Who struck many nations, And killed mighty kings,

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage to Israel, his people.

13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; Your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

14 For Yahweh will judge his people, And have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they can't speak; They have eyes, but they can't see;

17 They have ears, but they can't hear; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them will be like them; Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!

20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!

21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

Psalms 135:1-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Let the Lord be praised. O you servants of the Lord, give praise to the name of the Lord.

2 You who are in the house of the Lord, and in the open spaces of the house of our God,

3 Give praise to Jah, for he is good: make melody to his name, for it is pleasing.

4 For the Lord has taken Jacob for himself, and Israel for his property.

5 I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is greater than all other gods.

6 The Lord has done whatever was pleasing to him, in heaven, and on the earth, in the seas and in all the deep waters.

7 He makes the mists go up from the ends of the earth; he makes thunder-flames for the rain; he sends out the winds from his store-houses.

8 He put to death the first-fruits of Egypt, of man and of beast.

9 He sent signs and wonders among you, O Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.

10 He overcame great nations, and put strong kings to death;

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And gave their land for a heritage, even for a heritage to Israel his people.

13 O Lord, your name is eternal; and the memory of you will have no end.

14 For the Lord will be judge of his people's cause; his feelings will be changed to his servants.

15 The images of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but no voice, they have eyes, but they do not see;

17 They have ears, but no hearing; and there is no breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who puts his hope in them.

19 Give praise to the Lord, O children of Israel: give praise to the Lord, O sons of Aaron:

20 Give praise to the Lord, O sons of Levi: let all the worshippers of the Lord give him praise.

21 Praise be to the Lord out of Zion, even to the Lord whose house is in Jerusalem, Let the Lord be praised.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 135

Commentary on Psalms 135 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Psalm 135

This is one of the Hallelujah-psalms; that is the title of it, and that is the Amen of it, both its Alpha and its Omega.

  • I. It begins with a call to praise God, particularly a call to the "servants of the Lord' to praise him, as in the foregoing psalm (v. 1-3).
  • II. It goes on to furnish us with matter for praise. God is to be praised,
    • 1. As the God of Jacob (v. 4).
    • 2. As the God of gods (v. 5).
    • 3. As the God of the whole world (v. 6, 7).
    • 4. As a terrible God to the enemies of Israel (v. 8-11).
    • 5. As a gracious God to Israel, both in what he had done for them and what he would do (v. 12-14).
    • 6. As the only living God, all other gods being vanity and a lie (v. 15-18).
  • III. It concludes with another exhortation to all persons concerned to praise God (v. 19-21).

In singing this psalm our hearts must be filled, as well as our mouths, with the high praises of God.

Psa 135:1-4

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, v. 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 (v. 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 treasure above all people (Ex. 19:5); they are his Segullah, a people appropriated to him, and that he has a delight in, precious in his sight and honourable. For this distinguishing surprising favour, if the seed of Jacob do not praise him, they are the most unworthy ungrateful people under the sun.

Psa 135:5-14

The psalmist had suggested to us the goodness of God, as the proper matter of our cheerful praises; here he suggests to us the greatness of God as the proper matter of our awful praises; and on this he is most copious, because this we are less forward to consider.

  • I. He asserts the doctrine of God's greatness (v. 5): The Lord is great, great indeed, who knows no limits of time or place. He asserts it with assurance, "I know that he is so; know it not only by observation of the proofs of it, but by belief of the revelation of it. I know it; I am sure of it; I know it by my own experience of the divine greatness working on my soul.' He asserts it with a holy defiance of all pretenders, though they should join in confederacy against him. He is not only above any god, but above all gods, infinitely above them, between him and them there is no comparison.
  • II. He proves him to be a great God by the greatness of his power, v. 6.
    • 1. He has an absolute power, and may do what he will: Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he, and none could control him, or say unto him, What doest thou? He does what he pleases, because he pleases, and gives not an account of any of his matters.
    • 2. He has an almighty power and can do what he will; if he will work, none shall hinder.
    • 3. This absolute almighty power is of universal extent; he does what he will in heaven, in earth, in the seas, and in all the deep places that are in the bottom of the sea or the bowels of the earth. The gods of the heathen can do nothing; but our God can do any thing and does do every thing.
  • III. He gives instances of his great power,
    • 1. In the kingdom of nature, v. 7. All the powers of nature prove the greatness of the God of nature, from whom they are derived and on whom they depend. The chain of natural causes was not only framed by him at first, but is still preserved by him.
      • (1.) It is by his power that exhalations are drawn up from the terraqueous globe. The heat of the sun raises them, but it has that power from God, and therefore it is given as an instance of the glory of God that nothing is hidden from the heat of the sun, Ps. 19:6. He causes the vapours to ascend (not only unhelped, but unseen, by us) from the earth, from the ends of the earth, that is, from the seas, by which the earth is surrounded.
      • (2.) It is he who, out of those vapours so raised, forms the rain, so that the earth is no loser by the vapours it sends up, for they are returned with advantage in fruitful showers.
      • (3.) Out of the same vapours (such is his wonderful power) he makes lightnings or the rain; by them he opens the bottles of heaven, and shakes the clouds, that they may water the earth. Here are fire and water thoroughly reconciled by divine omnipotence. They come together, and yet the water does not quench the fire, nor the fire lick up the water, as fire from heaven did when God pleased, 1 Ki. 18:38.
      • (4.) The same exhalations, to serve another purpose, are converted into winds, which blow where they list, from what point of the compass they will, and we are so far from directing them that we cannot tell whence they come nor whither they go, but God brings them out of his treasuries with as much exactness and design as a prudent prince orders money to issue out of his exchequer.
    • 2. In the kingdoms of men; and here he mentions the great things God had formerly done for his people Israel, which were proofs of God's greatness as well as of his goodness, and confirmations of the truth of the scriptures of the Old Testament, which began to be written by Moses, the person employed in working those miracles. Observe God's sovereign dominion and irresistible power,
      • (1.) In bringing Israel out of Egypt, humbling Pharaoh by many plagues, and so forcing him to let them go. These plagues are called tokens and wonders, because they came not in the common course of providence, but there was something miraculous in each of them. They were sent upon Pharaoh and all his servants, his subjects; but the Israelites, whom God claimed for his servants, his son, his first-born, his free-born, were exempted from them, and no plague came nigh their dwelling. The death of the first-born both of men and cattle was the heaviest of all the plagues, and that which gained the point.
      • (2.) In destroying the kingdoms of Canaan before them, v. 10. Those that were in possession of the land designed for Israel had all possible advantages for keeping possession. The people were numerous, and warlike, and confederate against Israel. They were great nations. Yet, if a great nation has a meek and mean-spirited prince, it lies exposed; but these great nations had mighty kings, and yet they were all smitten and slain-Sihon and Og, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, v. 10, 11. No power of hell or earth can prevent the accomplishment of the promise of God when the time, the set time, for it has come.
      • (3.) In settling them in the land of promise. He that gives kingdoms to whomsoever he pleases gave Canaan to be a heritage to Israel his people. It came to them by inheritance, for their ancestors had the promise of it, though not the possession; and it descended as an inheritance to their seed. This was done long before, yet God is now praised for it; and with good reason, for the children were now enjoying the benefit of it.
  • IV. He triumphs in the perpetuity of God's glory and grace.
    • 1. Of his glory (v. 13): Thy name, O God! endures for ever. God's manifestations of himself to his people have everlasting fruits and consequences. What God doeth it shall be for ever, Eccl. 3:14. His name endures for ever in the constant and everlasting praises of his people; his memorial endures, has endured hitherto, and shall still endure throughout all generations of the church. This seems to refer to Ex. 3:15, where, when God had called himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he adds, This is my name for ever and this is my memorial unto all generations. God is, and will be, always the same to his church, a gracious, faithful, wonder-working God; and his church is, and will be, the same to him, a thankful praising people; and thus his name endures for ever.
    • 2. Of his grace. He will be kind to his people.
      • (1.) He will plead their cause against others that contend with them. He will judge his people, that is, he will judge for them, and will not suffer them to be run down.
      • (2.) He will not himself contend for ever with them, but will repent himself concerning his servants, and not proceed in his controversy with them; he will be entreated for them, or he will be comforted concerning them; he will return in ways of mercy to them and will delight to do them good. This verse is taken from the song of Moses, Deu. 32:36.

Psa 135:15-21

The design of these verses is,

  • I. To arm the people of God against idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods they were that the heathen worshipped, as we had it before, Ps. 115:4, etc.
    • 1. They were gods of their own making; being so, they could have no power but what their makers gave them, and then what power could their makers receive from them? The images were the work of men's hands, and the deities that were supposed to inform them were as much the creatures of men's fancy and imagination.
    • 2. They had the shape of animals, but could not perform the least act, no, not of the animal life. They could neither see, nor hear, nor speak, nor so much as breathe; and therefore to make them with eyes, and ears, and mouths, and nostrils, was such a jest that one would wonder how reasonable creatures could suffer themselves to be so imposed upon as to expect any good from such mock-deities.
    • 3. Their worshippers were therefore as stupid and senseless as they were, both those that made them to be worshipped and those that trusted in them when they were made, v. 18. The worshipping of such gods as were the objects of sense, and senseless, made the worshippers sensual and senseless. Let our worshipping a God that is a Spirit make us spiritual and wise.
  • II. To stir up the people of God to true devotion in the worship of the true God, v. 19-21. The more deplorable the condition of the Gentile nations that worship idols is the more are we bound to thank God that we know better. Therefore,
    • 1. Let us set ourselves about the acts of devotion, and employ ourselves in them: Bless the Lord, and again and again, bless the Lord. In the parallel place (Ps. 115:9-11), by way of inference from the impotency of idols, the duty thus pressed upon us is to trust in the Lord; here to bless him; by putting our trust in God we give glory to him, and those that depend upon God shall not want matter of thanksgiving to him. All persons that knew God are here called to praise him-the house of Israel (the nation in general), the house of Aaron and the house of Levi (the Lord's ministers that attended in his sanctuary), and all others that feared the Lord, though they were not of the house of Israel.
    • 2. Let God have the glory of all: Blessed be the Lord. The tribute of praise arises out of Zion. All God's works do praise him, but his saints bless him; and they need not go far to pay their tribute, for he dwells in Jerusalem, in his church, which they are members of, so that he is always nigh unto them to receive their homage. The condescensions of his grace, in dwelling with men upon the earth, call for our grateful and thankful returns, and our repeated Hallelujahs.