Psalms 135:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise [him], O ye servants of the LORD.

Complete Jewish Bible:

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

Berean Standard Bible:

Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD. Give praise, O servants of the LORD,

American Standard Version:

Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praisehim, O ye servants of Jehovah,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Psalms 135:1

Psalm 135:1 is a call to worship, inviting the servants of the Lord to engage in praise. The verse is part of a larger psalm that falls within the genre of communal praise, likely used in the liturgical settings of ancient Israel. The historical context of this psalm is not explicitly stated, but it is structured similarly to Psalm 134 and is part of a collection of songs known as the "Great Hallel" (Psalms 134-136), which were traditionally sung during significant Jewish festivals, particularly at Passover.

The themes of Psalm 135:1 include the exhortation to praise God, the importance of acknowledging God's name, and the role of God's servants in offering this praise. The repetition of the word "praise" emphasizes the urgency and the communal nature of the call. To praise the name of the Lord is to honor the very character and identity of God, recognizing His attributes and His actions in history, especially His acts of deliverance and provision for Israel.

In the broader context of the psalm, this opening verse sets the tone for a series of remembrances of God's mighty deeds on behalf of His people, including the Exodus and the giving of the land of Canaan. It also underscores the Lord's supremacy over other gods and nature, reinforcing the monotheistic belief in the God of Israel as the one true God. The servants of the Lord, likely referring to the priests, Levites, and the faithful in general, are summoned to participate in this act of worship, highlighting the corporate aspect of praise within the Israelite community.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1984
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַל
   Transliteration: hâlal
   Pronunciation: haw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3050
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָהּ
   Transliteration: Yâhh
   Pronunciation: yaw
   Description: contraction for יְהֹוָה, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name; Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in '-iah,' '-jah.'
   
3. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.