Psalms 135:21

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Blessed {H1288} be the LORD {H3068} out of Zion {H6726}, which dwelleth {H7931} at Jerusalem {H3389}. Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}.

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

Blessed be the LORD from Zion— He who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 135:21

Psalms 135 is a hymn of praise, likely sung in temple worship, possibly by the Levites. It recounts God's mighty acts in history, from creation to the Exodus, and His triumph over Israel's enemies and pagan idols. The psalm opens and closes with a call to praise, framing the entire composition as an act of worship. Verse 21 serves as a concluding doxology, a final call to worship that specifically connects the praise to God's presence in Zion and Jerusalem, emphasizing the spiritual center of the nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence in Zion: The verse highlights God's special presence in Zion and Jerusalem, which were the spiritual and political centers of Israel. This signifies God's covenant faithfulness and His accessibility to His people through the Temple.
  • Call to Praise and Blessing: It's both a declaration ("Blessed be the LORD") and an exhortation ("Praise ye the LORD"). This emphasizes that praise is a fitting and necessary response to God's greatness, His mighty works, and His enduring love for His people.
  • God's Sovereignty and Uniqueness: Implicitly, this verse reinforces the broader psalm's message that the God who dwells in Zion is the one true God, distinct from the powerless idols of the nations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Blessed be the LORD" is a common Hebrew expression of adoration, Baruch Yahweh, acknowledging God as the source of all blessing and worthy of all praise. The concluding "Praise ye the LORD" is the well-known Hebrew term Hallelujah (or Halleluyah), an imperative meaning "Praise Yah (the LORD)." Its inclusion at both the beginning and end of Psalms 135 (and many other psalms) highlights its significance as a fundamental act of worship.

Related Scriptures

  • God's choice of Zion as His dwelling place is a recurring theme in the Psalms: Psalms 76:2, Psalms 132:13-14.
  • The universal call to praise the Lord is echoed throughout scripture: Psalms 150:6.
  • The concept of God dwelling among His people is central to the Old Testament covenant: Exodus 25:8.

Practical Application

Psalms 135:21 offers timeless insights for contemporary believers:

  • Worship God in Spirit and Truth: While Zion and Jerusalem were physical locations, the verse points to the reality of God's presence. Today, believers are called to worship God wherever they are, recognizing that true worship is in spirit and truth, not confined to a single geographical place.
  • Acknowledge God's Active Presence: This verse reminds us that God is not distant but actively dwells among His people. This understanding should inspire confidence, reverence, and a continuous flow of praise in our daily lives.
  • Respond with Gratitude: Given God's mighty acts and His dwelling among us, a grateful heart that continually blesses and praises the Lord is the appropriate response. This fosters a deeper relationship with Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 134:3

    The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

  • Psalms 132:13

    For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

  • Psalms 132:14

    This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

  • Isaiah 12:6

    Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:6

    But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

  • Psalms 76:2

    In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

  • Psalms 128:5

    The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
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