Psalms 135King James Version
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth.
A praise psalm that draws on the great historical acts of God. Praise the name of the LORD; praise his servants who stand in the house. He does whatever he pleases in heaven, earth, seas, and deep places. He smote Egypt's firstborn, smote great nations, gave Israel their land for a heritage. The idols of the nations are silver and gold; they cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe. But bless the LORD, O house of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi, and all who fear him.
The God who does whatever he pleases in all of creation stands in absolute contrast to idols that cannot do anything; the difference is the ground for the specific blessing assigned to each house of Israel.
verse: "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places." The sovereignty is total: no domain is excluded from his pleasure.
No superscription. The servants standing in the courts (v1-2) suggests a temple setting. The parallels with Psalm 115's idol polemic (vv15-18) and Psalm 105's historical review suggest this psalm was compiled for liturgical use, possibly at the Passover festival. Book 5.
The servants of the LORD addressed; God as the one who acts freely across all domains; the nations whose gods are idols; Egypt and Canaan's kings as the ones defeated; the four groups blessed (Israel, Aaron, Levi, those who fear God).
Psalm 135 is a deliberately composite psalm, drawing on Psalms 115 (idol polemic), 105 and 106 (historical review), and other passages. Its anthology character suggests it served as a liturgical summary at public worship. The fourfold blessing structure at the close mirrors the priestly benediction formula.
For when you want to rehearse the whole story in one place. This psalm is a liturgical summary of everything: God's freedom, Israel's history, the idol critique, the communal blessing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
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.
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.