Psalms 135

¹Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

²Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

³Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Psa 135:1-21. A Psalm of praise, in which God’s relations to His Church, His power in the natural world, and in delivering His people, are contrasted with the vanity of idols and idol-worship. 1-3. In the general call for praise, the priests, that stand in the house of the Lord, are specially mentioned.

⁴For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

⁵For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

⁶Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

⁷He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

4-7. God’s choice of Israel is the first reason assigned for rendering praise; the next, His manifested greatness in creation and providence.

⁸Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

⁹Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

8-9. The last plague [Ex 12:29] is cited to illustrate His “tokens and wonders.”

¹⁰Who smote great 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 an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

10-12. The conquest of Canaan was by God’s power, not that of the people.

¹³Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

13. heritage--or, “possession.” name ... memorial--Each denote that by which God is made known.

¹⁴For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

14. will judge--do justice (Psa 72:2). repent himself--change His dealings (Psa 90:13).

¹⁵The idols of the heathen 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 are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

15-18. (Compare Psa 115:4-8).

¹⁹Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

²⁰Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

²¹Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

19-21. (Compare Psa 115:9-11). There we have “trust” for “bless” here.