Psalms135

This psalm calls all servants of the LORD to praise Him for His goodness and for choosing Israel as His peculiar treasure. It extols God's greatness above all gods, recounting His mighty acts in creation and history, such as delivering Israel from Egypt and granting them land. In contrast to the living God, the psalm exposes the futility of man-made idols, concluding with a renewed call for all Israel to bless the LORD from Zion.

Call to Praise in the Temple

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. ​

God's Supremacy Over All Creation

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. ​

God's Powerful Acts of Deliverance

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. ​

God's Eternal Name and Justice

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. ​

The Folly and Impotence of Idols

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. ​

A Final Call to Bless the Lord

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! ​

Study Notes for Psalms 135

Verse 1

This Hallelujah Psalm opens with a direct appeal to the 'servants of the LORD,' specifically those priests and Levites who minister within the temple complex.

Verse 2

The reference to 'standing in the house' highlights the liturgical context, emphasizing the perpetual duty of worshipers, especially temple functionaries, to offer praise.

Verse 3

The motivation for praise is twofold: God's intrinsic moral nature ('good') and the inherent joy and beauty found in praising His revealed character ('pleasant').

Verse 4

Israel's existence is rooted in divine election. They were chosen not for merit but to be God's 'peculiar treasure' (segullah), His cherished and valued possession among the nations.

Verse 5

This verse asserts Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty. The declaration that the Lord is 'above all gods' is a polemic against the polytheism of the ancient Near East.

Verse 6

God’s will is absolute and effective throughout creation. Unlike the limited deities of pagan myths, the God of Israel executes His pleasure without restriction in every domain.

Verse 7

God’s control over weather and natural phenomena (rain, wind, lightning) is cited as concrete proof of His cosmic mastery, a realm often attributed to competing deities.

Verse 8

The psalm shifts focus from creation to historical redemption, beginning with the foundational act of the plagues in Egypt, specifically the death of the firstborn.

Verse 9

The 'tokens and wonders' refer to the ten plagues, which served as signs (otot) demonstrating Yahweh’s power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon.

Verse 11

The defeat of Sihon and Og, the powerful kings east of the Jordan, was a crucial step in the conquest and a high point of God’s military faithfulness to Israel.

Verse 12

The historical summary culminates in the fulfillment of the covenant promise: the granting of the conquered land as a permanent 'heritage' (nachalah) to Israel.

Verse 13

God’s 'name' and 'memorial' refer to His enduring fame and character. This assures the worshipers that the mighty acts of the past define an eternally unchanging God.

Verse 14

God 'will judge his people' means He will vindicate them against their enemies and show compassion ('repent himself') toward His servants when they are in distress.

Verse 15

This section is a strong polemic (cf. Ps 115) contrasting the living, active God with the lifeless, man-made idols, which are merely silver and gold.

Verse 18

This theological warning states that those who trust in idols become spiritually and morally like them: inert, deaf, and unable to perceive true reality.

Verse 19

The call to praise is specified for the entire community: the laity ('house of Israel'), the priests ('house of Aaron'), and the Levites (temple attendants).

Verse 20

'Ye that fear the LORD' is a broad designation that often includes all pious individuals, potentially encompassing Gentile proselytes who had joined the covenant community.

Verse 21

The concluding doxology emphasizes that the blessing originates 'out of Zion,' establishing Jerusalem as the central location for God's revealed presence and covenant blessing.

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