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Psalms Chapter 135

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 21 Verses

What is Psalms 135 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise [him], O ye servants of Jehovah,
2Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.
3Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [And] Israel for his own possession.
5For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
7Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;
8Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
9Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;
10Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,
11Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.
13Thy name, O Jehovah, [endureth] for ever; Thy memorial [name], O Jehovah, throughout all generations.
14For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants.
15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men`s hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
17They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
19O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:
20O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
21Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 136
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or hallelujah; which may be considered as the title of the psalm; as in the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions: praise ye the name of the Lord; that is, the Lord himself, and the perfections of his nature; his greatness, goodness, grace, and mercy; his holiness, justice, power, truth, and faithfulness; and also his word, by which he makes known himself, and is a distinguishing blessing to his people, and to be praised for it; (see <194801>Psalm 48:1 147:19,20); praise [him], O ye servants of the Lord; priests and Levites, and ministers of the word, and all…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayer and prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies. (Psa 137:1-9) rivers of Babylon--the name of the city used for the whole country. remembered Zion--or, Jerusalem, as in Psa 132:13.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord - Hebrew, Hallelu-jah. Literally, “Praise Jah,” an abridged name for Yahweh. See the notes at Psalms 68:4. Praise ye the name of the Lord - The same as praising God himself. Praise him, O ye servants of the Lord - You who are especially designated or appointed to this service, Psalms 134:1. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Ye - Ye priest and Levites. Psalms 135:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 135 God, the Creator and the Lord of history, “made heaven and earth” (134:3). He deserves praise because, unlike idols, he redeems his people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 3000, bc 1004 (Title), Bp. Patrick supposes this to be the morning hymn which the precentor called upon the Levites to sing at the opening of the gates of the temple, as the foregoing was sung at the shutting in the evening; but it is more probable that it was composed by Solomon, to be sung at the dedication of the temple. Praise ye the Lord: Psa 33:1, Psa 33:2, Psa 96:1-4, Psa 106:1, Psa 107:8, Psa 107:15, Psa 111:1, Psa 112:1, Psa 113:1, Psa 117:1, Psa 117:2, Psa 150:6 Praise ye the name: Psa 7:17, Psa 102:21, Psa 113:2, Psa 113:3, Psa 148:13; Exo 34:5-7; Neh 9:5 O ye servants: Psa 113:1, Psa 134:1, Psa…”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The beginning is taken from Psa 134:1; Psa 135:2 recalls Psa 116:19 (cf. Psa 92:14); and Psa 135:4 is an echo of Deu 7:6. The servants of Jahve to whom the summons is addressed, are not, as in Psa 134:1., His official servants in particular, but according to Psa 135:2, where the courts, in the plural, are allotted to them as their standing-place, and according to Psa 135:19-20, those who fear Him as a body. The threefold Jahve at the beginning is then repeated in Jāh (הללוּ־יהּ, cf. note 1 to Ps Psa 104:35), Jahve, and Jāh. The subject of כּי נעים is by no means Jahve (Hupfeld), whom they did not dare to call…”
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