Psalms 135:19

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 135:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:
Psalms 135:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 135

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bless the Lord, O house of Israel, etc.] Who are chosen by the Lord to be a special people to him above all others; redeemed from Egyptian bondage; through a variety of surprising providences brought into and settled in the land of Canaan; distinguished by various blessings, favoured with the word, worship, and ordinances of God, and not left to worship idols of gold and silver, as other nations; and therefore had great reason to bless the Lord: as also the spiritual Israel, or the household of God and of faith, the family of Christ; and that because they are of his family, because of the love of God to them, his choice of them, his covenant with them, their redemption by Christ, their…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Bless the Lord, O house of Israel ... - This passage, also, is evidently an imitation of the passage in Psalms 115:9-13. The form in Psalms 115:0, however, is rather an exhortation to trust in the Lord, and an assurance that God would bless the classes spoken of, than a call on them to bless the Lord. Still the same classes of persons are referred to; the house of Israel; the house of Aaron; and those who feared the Lord. The passage needs no further illustration than what is found in the notes at Psalms 115:9-13. It is an earnest call on all classes of the people to bless and praise the Lord. It is language expressive of overflowing joy; the utterance of a heart full of exalted conceptions…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“135:19-21 The groups named here comprised the covenant community (see 115:9-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 115:9-11, Psa 118:1-4, Psa 145:10, Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20, Psa 148:14; Rev 19:5 Psalms 135:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“A call to the praise of Jahve, who is exalted above the gods of the nations, addressed to Israel as a whole, rounds off the Psalm by recurring to its beginning. The threefold call in Psa 115:9-11; Psa 118:2-4, is rendered fourfold here by the introduction of the house of the Levites, and the wishing of a blessing in Psa 134:3 is turned into an ascription of praise. Zion, whence Jahve's self-attestation, so rich in power and loving-kindness, is spread abroad, is also to be the place whence His glorious attestation by the mouth of men is spread abroad. History has realized this. Next: Psalms Chapter 136”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification