Psalms 135

1 Halleluyah! Give praise to the name of ADONAI! Servants of ADONAI, give praise!

2 You who stand in the house of ADONAI, in the courtyards of the house of our God,

3 praise Yah, for ADONAI is good; sing to his name, because it is pleasant.

4 For Yah chose Ya'akov for himself, Isra'el as his own unique treasure.

5 I know that ADONAI is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

6 ADONAI does whatever pleases him, in heaven, on earth, in the seas, in all the depths.

7 He raises clouds from the ends of the earth, he makes the lightning flash in the rain and brings the wind out from his storehouses.

8 He struck down Egypt's firstborn, humans and animals alike.

9 He sent signs and wonders among you, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his subjects.

10 He struck many nations, and slaughtered mighty kings

11 Sichon king of the Emori, 'Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Kena'an.

12 Then he gave their land as a heritage, to be possessed by Isra'el his people.

13 ADONAI, your name continues forever, your renown, ADONAI, through all generations.

14 For ADONAI will vindicate his people, he will take pity on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are mere silver and gold, made by human 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 listen; and they have no breath in their mouths;

18 The people who make them will become like them, along with everyone who trusts in them.

19 House of Isra'el, bless ADONAI! House of Aharon, bless ADONAI!

20 House of Levi, bless ADONAI! You who fear ADONAI, bless ADONAI!

21 Blessed be ADONAI out of Tziyon, he who dwells in Yerushalayim! Halleluyah!

Psalms 135 Commentary

Chapter 135

God to be praised for his mercy. (1-4) For his power and judgments. (5-14) The vanity of idols. (15-21)

Verses 1-4 The subject-matter of praise, is the blessings of grace flowing from the everlasting love of God. The name of God as a covenant God and Father in Christ, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in him, is to be loved and praised. The Lord chose a people to himself, that they might be unto him for a name and a praise. If they do not praise him for this distinguishing favour, they are the most unworthy and ungrateful of all people.

Verses 5-14 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: thus his name endures for ever. He will return in ways of mercy to them, and will delight to do them good.

Verses 15-21 These verses arm believers against idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods the heathen worshipped. And the more deplorable the condition of the Gentile nations that worship idols, the more are we to be thankful that we know better. Let us pity, and pray for, and seek to benefit benighted heathens and deluded sinners. Let us endeavour to glorify his name, and recommend his truth, not only with our lips, but by holy lives, copying the example of Christ's goodness and truth.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 135

This psalm was written very probably by the same hand as the former. It begins in much the same manner; it has some likeness with Psalm 113 and 114. It begins and ends with "hallelujah"; and is throughout an exhortation of praise to God, on account of his name, nature, and perfections; and because of his works of creation, providence, and grace, many of which are enumerated. The Syriac interpreter says, there is an intimation in it of the conversion of the people of the Messiah unto the faith.