Psalms 135:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

O house of Levi, bless the LORD; you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 135:20 is a fervent liturgical exhortation, specifically calling upon the priestly house of Levi, and by extension, all who genuinely revere the Lord, to actively engage in blessing and praising God. This verse serves as a climactic summation of the psalm's preceding themes, which celebrate God's incomparable greatness, His sovereign acts in creation and history, and His covenantal faithfulness to Israel, contrasting Him sharply with the impotence of idols. It 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 worthiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 135 is a Hallel psalm, likely composed for temple worship or a festival, serving as a powerful hymn of praise. It opens with a general call to praise the Lord (verses 1-3), then provides a comprehensive list of reasons for this praise: God's choice of Israel as His "special treasure" (verse 4), His supremacy over all other gods (verse 5), His sovereignty over nature and nations (verses 6-12), and His enduring name and fame (verse 13). The psalm then contrasts the living God with the futility of idols (verses 15-18), a common polemic in Israelite theology. The concluding verses (19-21) deliver a four-fold, escalating call to specific groups within Israel to "Bless the LORD." Verse 20 directly follows the calls to the "house of Israel" and the "house of Aaron" in [Psalms 135:19](/psalms/135-19 "Psalms 135:19 - Call to Bless the LORD") and precedes the final, all-encompassing call from Zion in [Psalms 135:21](/psalms/135-21 "Psalms 135:21 - Praise from Zion"). This structure builds a crescendo of communal worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely originated in the post-exilic period, reflecting a renewed emphasis on temple worship and national identity. The "house of Levi" refers to the entire tribe of Levi, set apart for sacred service, including the priests (descendants of Aaron) and the Levites who assisted in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their duties ranged from offering sacrifices and maintaining the sanctuary to leading music and teaching the Law, as detailed in books like [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - Duties of the Levites") and [Deuteronomy 33:8-11](/deuteronomy/33-8 "Deuteronomy 33:8-11 - Blessing of Levi"). The call to "fear the LORD" was a foundational concept in Israelite piety, signifying not terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God's covenant commands, a theme central to wisdom literature like [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD"). The setting would have been the Temple in Jerusalem, where such communal calls to worship would resonate deeply with the assembled congregations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 135 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it champions the **sovereignty and uniqueness of Yahweh**, contrasting Him with the lifelessness of pagan idols, a recurring motif throughout the prophetic and wisdom literature (e.g., [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - Folly of Idolatry")). Secondly, it highlights the **importance of communal worship and corporate responsibility**, demonstrating that praise is not merely individual but a collective act involving distinct groups within the covenant community. Thirdly, it underscores the **privileged role of the Levites** in leading Israel in worship, a divine appointment that carried significant responsibility. Finally, the inclusion of "ye that fear the LORD" expands the call to **universal reverence and participation in praise**, encompassing all who genuinely acknowledge God's authority and holiness, reflecting the broader biblical truth that true wisdom begins with the [fear of the Lord](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Beginning of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This verb (H1288) means "to kneel," and by implication, "to bless God (as an act of adoration)" or "to bless man (as a benefit)." In the context of blessing God, it is an act of adoration, praise, and declaration of His goodness and worthiness. It is not conferring a benefit upon God, but acknowledging and extolling His inherent blessedness and attributes. The repetition of "bless the LORD" emphasizes the intensity and importance of this act of worship.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This noun (H1004) literally means "house," but in this context, when combined with "Levi," it signifies a "household," "family," or "lineage." "House of Levi" (H1004 + H3878) refers to the entire tribal division of Levi, encompassing both the priestly line of Aaron and the other Levites who served in various capacities in the temple. This highlights their corporate identity and their specific, divinely appointed role in Israel's worship.
* **fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This verb (H3373) means "to fear," but in a moral or theological sense, it implies "reverent awe," "respect," and "obedience." It is not a cowering terror but a profound acknowledgment of God's majesty, holiness, and supreme authority, leading to a life of humble submission and devotion. Those who "fear the LORD" are the truly devout, those who live in covenant faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bless the LORD, O house of Levi":** This is a direct, imperative call to the entire tribe of Levi. As the divinely appointed custodians of the tabernacle/temple service, the Levites were uniquely positioned and obligated to lead Israel in worship. This command underscores their primary function: to facilitate and exemplify the praise of God, ensuring the continuity and purity of Israel's corporate adoration. Their very existence and service were meant to be a blessing to the Lord, a perpetual act of declaring His glory.
* **"ye that fear the LORD,":** This clause broadens the scope of the exhortation beyond the specific tribe of Levi. It includes all individuals within Israel, and by extension, all people, who possess a genuine, reverential awe and respect for God. This "fear" is the foundation of true piety and wisdom, leading to obedience and devotion. By including this group, the psalm emphasizes that the call to bless the Lord is not exclusive to the priestly class but extends to every devout believer, making worship a universal responsibility for the faithful.
* **"bless the LORD.":** The repetition of the command creates an emphatic conclusion, reinforcing the central message of the verse and the psalm. It serves as a powerful liturgical refrain, urging all addressed to actively and continually engage in the act of blessing God. This reiteration ensures that the primary focus remains on the worship of Yahweh, culminating the series of calls to praise that began in [Psalms 135:19](/psalms/135-19 "Psalms 135:19 - Call to Bless the LORD").

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 135:20 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Anaphora** and **Repetition**, 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. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second clause ("ye that fear the LORD") expands upon or complements the first ("O house of Levi"). While the "house of Levi" represents a specific 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. 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 priesthood of all believers.

* [Deuteronomy 10:8](/deuteronomy/10-8 "Deuteronomy 10:8 - Levites Set Apart")
* [Psalm 115:18](/psalms/115-18 "Psalm 115:18 - We Will Bless the LORD")
* [Revelation 19:5](/revelation/19-5 "Revelation 19:5 - Praise from All Who Fear God")

### 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 principle of dedicated service and universal reverence remains vital. 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 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
* **How does my daily life reflect a genuine "fear of the LORD" and an active desire to "bless the LORD"?**
* **In what ways can I, as part of the "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), more intentionally lead or participate in corporate worship?**
* **What specific attributes or deeds of God, as highlighted in Psalms 135, motivate me to praise Him more deeply?**

### FAQ
**What does "house of Levi" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The "house of Levi" refers to the entire tribe of Levi, whom God set apart for special service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This included the priests (descendants of Aaron) and the Levites who performed various duties such as carrying the Ark, maintaining the sanctuary, leading music, and teaching the Law. In this verse, it signifies those specifically consecrated and responsible for leading and facilitating Israel's worship and service to God, as outlined in books like [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - The Levites' Service").

**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 to hold Him in profound reverence, awe, and respect. It involves acknowledging His supreme authority, holiness, and power, which naturally leads to obedience to His commands and a humble submission to His will. This fear is considered the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, as seen in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge"). It is a loving, obedient, and worshipful awe that motivates a life of devotion and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 135:20, with its call to the "house of Levi" and "ye that fear the LORD" to bless God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. While the Old Testament Levites served as mediators and facilitators of worship, offering sacrifices that foreshadowed Christ, Jesus Himself is the [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest") who offered the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, eternally interceding for His people (cf. [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His atoning work, all believers are now constituted as a "[royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")" and a "holy priesthood" (cf. [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood")), no longer needing an earthly Levitical mediator. The call to "bless the LORD" is thus extended to every believer, who, by faith in Christ, has direct access to God and is empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (cf. [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices")). The "fear of the LORD" is now understood as a reverent love and obedient awe for God, made possible by the Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, "[Abba, Father](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")" (cf. [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")). Thus, the psalm's ancient call to specific groups is fulfilled in the church, the body of Christ, where all who are in Him are called to continually offer a "sacrifice of praise" (cf. [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise")) to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.