TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
World English Bible Messianic
House of Levi, praise the LORD! You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!
Young's Literal Translation
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah, Those fearing Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
In the KJVVerse 16,196 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 135 verses 15–21
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.
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, Psa 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, Psa 135:18. 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, Psa 135:19-21. 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 (Psa 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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–21. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 135
"Bless the Lord, you house of Aaron. Bless the Lord, you house of Levi" [Psalm 135:20]. Bless the Lord, you nations, this is, the "house of Israel" generally; bless Him, you leaders, this is, the "house of Aaron;" bless Him, you servants, this is, the "house of Levi." What of the other nations? "You that fear the Lord, bless the Lord."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 135:20 delivers a fervent liturgical command, specifically addressing the priestly "house of Levi" and, by extension, all who genuinely revere the Lord, urging them to actively engage in blessing and praising God. This verse functions as a climactic summation of the psalm's preceding themes, which celebrate God's unparalleled greatness, His sovereign acts in creation and history, and His unwavering covenantal faithfulness to Israel, contrasting Him sharply with the utter impotence of idols. It profoundly underscores the universal and communal nature of worship, emphasizing that both those dedicated to sacred service and all devout believers are obligated to declare God's inherent worthiness and glory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 135:20 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically a form of Anaphora, with the phrase "Bless the LORD" appearing twice within this single verse, and four times in the concluding section of the psalm (verses 19-21). This repetition creates a powerful, rhythmic, and emphatic call to worship, reinforcing the central theme of praise and underscoring its urgency. The verse also utilizes Parallelism, specifically a form of Synthetic Parallelism, where the second clause ("ye that fear the LORD") expands upon and complements the first ("O house of Levi"). While the "house of Levi" represents a specific, consecrated group, "ye that fear the LORD" broadens the call, creating an inclusive invitation to worship. This expansion moves from the particular to the general, ensuring that no one truly devoted to God is excluded from this essential act of adoration. The entire verse functions as a direct Exhortation or imperative, a command to action, underscoring the psalmist's earnest desire for universal and fervent praise of God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 135:20 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the worship of God is both a specific duty for those set apart for sacred service and a universal calling for all who revere Him. It reinforces the Old Testament understanding of a covenant community where distinct roles contribute to a unified expression of praise. The Levites, by divine decree, were the primary liturgical leaders, but their role was meant to inspire and facilitate the worship of the entire congregation. This dual address highlights that while some are called to lead in formal worship, the essence of "blessing the LORD" – acknowledging His greatness, expressing gratitude, and living in reverent awe – is incumbent upon every believer. It speaks to the ongoing tension and harmony between specialized ministry and the broader priesthood of all believers, emphasizing that all the faithful are called to participate in God's praise.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 135:20 serves as a timeless summons to worship, transcending its original historical context to speak directly to believers today. While the specific role of the "house of Levi" has been fulfilled and transformed in the New Covenant, the underlying principles of dedicated service and universal reverence remain vitally important. As New Testament believers, we are all called to be active participants in blessing the Lord, not merely passive recipients of His grace. This means cultivating a lifestyle of praise and gratitude, recognizing God's sovereignty in all circumstances, and living in a way that demonstrates our profound respect and awe for His holiness. Our worship should not be confined to formal gatherings but should permeate every aspect of our lives, reflecting a heart that genuinely fears the Lord and delights in His goodness. Just as the Levites were commissioned to lead, so too are believers called to exemplify praise, inspiring those around them to join in the chorus of adoration for the incomparable God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "house of Levi" signify in this verse?
Answer: The "house of Levi" refers to the entire tribe of Levi, whom God specially set apart for sacred service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This comprehensive group included both the priests, who were direct descendants of Aaron, and the Levites, who performed various essential duties such as carrying the Ark, maintaining the sanctuary, leading musical worship, and teaching the Mosaic Law. In this verse, it signifies those specifically consecrated and responsible for leading and facilitating Israel's worship and service to God, as extensively outlined in books like Numbers 3.
What does it mean to "fear the LORD" in a biblical sense?
Answer: To "fear the LORD" in the biblical sense (Hebrew, yârêʼ) is not to be terrified of God, but rather to hold Him in profound reverence, awe, and respect. It involves a deep acknowledgment of His supreme authority, absolute holiness, and immense power, which naturally leads to willing obedience to His commands and a humble submission to His divine will. This fear is consistently presented as the very beginning of wisdom and knowledge throughout Scripture, as powerfully articulated in Proverbs 1:7. It is a loving, obedient, and worshipful awe that motivates a life of devotion, faithfulness, and righteous living.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 135:20, with its imperative call to the "house of Levi" and "ye that fear the LORD" to bless God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant. While the Old Testament Levites served as essential mediators and facilitators of worship, offering sacrifices that powerfully foreshadowed Christ's ultimate atonement, Jesus Himself is the great High Priest who offered the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin, eternally interceding for His people (Hebrews 7:27). Through His atoning work on the cross, all believers are now constituted as a "royal priesthood" and a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), no longer requiring an earthly Levitical mediator to approach God. The ancient call to "bless the LORD" is thus gloriously extended to every single believer, who, by faith in Christ, possesses direct access to God's presence and is empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). The "fear of the LORD" is now understood not as a distant apprehension, but as a reverent love and obedient awe for God, made intimately possible by the Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). Therefore, the psalm's ancient call to specific groups is consummately fulfilled in the church, the global body of Christ, where all who are united to Him are called to continually offer a "sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15) to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.