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Psalms 135

BSB·21 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Hallelujahהַ֥לְלוּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →! Praiseהַֽ֭לְלוּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֣םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. Give praiseהַֽ֝לְלוּhal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, O servantsעַבְדֵ֥י‘aḇ·ḏê — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, 2who standשֶׁ֣֭עֹֽמְדִיםše·ʿō·mə·d̲îm — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → in the houseבְּבֵ֣יתbə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, in the courtsבְּ֝חַצְר֗וֹתbə·ḥaṣ·rō·wṯ — Enclosed courtyard or village settlementH2691 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of our Godאֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 3Hallelujahהַֽ֭לְלוּ־hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is goodט֣וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →; sing praisesזַמְּר֥וּzam·mə·rū — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to His nameלִ֝שְׁמ֗וֹliš·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it is lovelyנָעִֽים׃nā·‘îm — Pleasant, delightful, agreeableH5273 — Full Word Study →. 4Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיָ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study → has chosenבָּחַ֣רbā·ḥar — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → Jacobיַעֲקֹ֗בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → as His own, Israelיִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → as His treasured possessionלִסְגֻלָּתֽוֹ׃lis·ḡul·lā·ṯōw — Treasured possession; prized, set-apart propertyH5459 — Full Word Study →. 5Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → knowיָ֭דַעְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is greatגָד֣וֹלḡā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →; our Lordוַ֝אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּwa·’ă·ḏō·nê·nū — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → is above allמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → godsאֱלֹהִֽים׃’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 6The LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → doesעָ֫שָׂ֥ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → allכֹּ֤לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → pleases Himחָפֵ֥ץḥā·p̄êṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → in the heavensבַּשָּׁמַ֥יִםbaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → and on the earthוּבָאָ֑רֶץū·ḇā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, in the seasבַּ֝יַּמִּ֗יםbay·yam·mîm — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → and in allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → their depthsתְּהוֹמֽוֹת׃tə·hō·w·mō·wṯ — the deep, abyss, primordial watersH8415 — Full Word Study →. 7He causes the cloudsנְשִׂאִים֮nə·śi·’îm — Prince, ruler, or leader of exalted statusH5387 — Full Word Study → to riseמַֽעֲלֶ֣הma·‘ă·leh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → from the endsמִקְצֵ֪הmiq·ṣêh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָ֫אָ֥רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. He generatesעָשָׂ֑ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the lightningבְּרָקִ֣יםbə·rā·qîm — Lightning; a flashing or gleaming swordH1300 — Full Word Study → with the rainלַמָּטָ֣רlam·mā·ṭār — Rain; rainfall; precipitation from heavenH4306 — Full Word Study → and brings forthמֽוֹצֵא־mō·w·ṣê- — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → the windר֝וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → from His storehousesמֵאֽוֹצְרוֹתָֽיו׃mê·’ō·wṣ·rō·w·ṯāw — Storehouse or treasury; a place where valuables are keptH214 — Full Word Study →. 8He struck downשֶֽׁ֭הִכָּהŠe·hik·kāh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the firstbornבְּכוֹרֵ֣יbə·ḵō·w·rê — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → of Egyptמִצְרָ֑יִםmiṣ·rā·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study →, of both manמֵ֝אָדָ֗םmê·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → andעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → beastבְּהֵמָֽה׃bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →. 9He sentשָׁלַ֤ח׀šā·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → signsאֹת֣וֹת’ō·ṯō·wṯ — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study → and wondersוּ֭מֹפְתִיםū·mō·p̄ə·ṯîm — A miraculous sign or wonder performed by GodH4159 — Full Word Study → into your midstבְּתוֹכֵ֣כִיbə·ṯō·w·ḵê·ḵî — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →, O Egyptמִצְרָ֑יִםmiṣ·rā·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study →, against Pharaohבְּ֝פַרְעֹ֗הbə·p̄ar·‘ōh — Egyptian rulerH6547 — Full Word Study → and allוּבְכָל־ū·ḇə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his servantsעֲבָדָֽיו׃‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. 10He struck downשֶֽׁ֭הִכָּהŠe·hik·kāh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → manyרַבִּ֑יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → nationsגּוֹיִ֣םgō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → and slaughteredוְ֝הָרַ֗גwə·hā·raḡ — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → mightyעֲצוּמִֽים׃‘ă·ṣū·mîm — Mighty, strong, powerfulH6099 — Full Word Study → kingsמְלָכִ֥יםmə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →: 11Sihonלְסִיח֤וֹן׀lə·sî·ḥō·wn — King of the AmoritesH5511 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֤לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of the Amoritesהָאֱמֹרִ֗יhā·’ĕ·mō·rî — Canaanite peoplesH567 — Full Word Study →, Ogוּ֭לְעוֹגū·lə·‘ō·wḡ — Og of BashanH5747 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Bashanהַבָּשָׁ֑ןhab·bā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study →, and allוּ֝לְכֹ֗לū·lə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the kingsמַמְלְכ֥וֹתmam·lə·ḵō·wṯ — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → of Canaanכְּנָֽעַן׃kə·nā·‘an — Canaan; the promised land; merchant activityH3667 — Full Word Study →. 12He gaveוְנָתַ֣ןwə·nā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → their landאַרְצָ֣ם’ar·ṣām — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → as an inheritanceנַחֲלָ֑הna·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →, as a heritageנַ֝חֲלָ֗הna·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study → to His peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → Israelלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥לlə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 13Your nameשִׁמְךָ֣šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֑םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →, Your renownזִכְרְךָ֥ziḵ·rə·ḵā — memorial, remembrance, or fragrant nameH2143 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, through all generationsלְדֹר־lə·ḏōr- — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will vindicateיָדִ֣יןyā·ḏîn — to judge, govern, or execute judgmentH1777 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּ֑וֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → and will have compassionיִתְנֶחָֽם׃yiṯ·ne·ḥām — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study → onוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → His servantsעֲ֝בָדָ֗יו‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. 15The idolsעֲצַבֵּ֣י‘ă·ṣab·bê — Idol; carved image or object of worshipH6091 — Full Word Study → of the nationsהַ֭גּוֹיִםhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → are silverכֶּ֣סֶףke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and goldוְזָהָ֑בwə·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →, madeמַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → by the handsיְדֵ֣יyə·ḏê — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of menאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 16They have mouthsפֶּֽה־peh- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → speakיְדַבֵּ֑רוּyə·ḏab·bê·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →; they have eyes, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeיִרְאֽוּ׃yir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →; 17they have earsאָזְנַ֣יִם’ā·zə·na·yim — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hearיַאֲזִ֑ינוּya·’ă·zî·nū — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study →; norאֵין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → is thereיֶשׁ־yeš- — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → breathר֥וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → in their mouthsבְּפִיהֶֽם׃bə·p̄î·hem — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →. 18Those who make themעֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם‘ō·śê·hem — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → becomeיִהְי֣וּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like themכְּ֭מוֹהֶםkə·mō·w·hem — Like; according to; asH3644 — Full Word Study →, as do allכֹּ֭לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → trustבֹּטֵ֣חַbō·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in them. 19O houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִ֭שְׂרָאֵלyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, blessבָּרֲכ֣וּbā·ră·ḵū — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; O houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַ֝הֲרֹ֗ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, blessבָּרֲכ֥וּbā·ră·ḵū — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; 20O houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Leviהַ֭לֵּוִיhal·lê·wî — Joined, AttachedH3878 — Full Word Study →, blessבָּרֲכ֣וּbā·ră·ḵū — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; you who fearיִֽרְאֵ֥יyir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, blessבָּרֲכ֥וּbā·ră·ḵū — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →! 21Blessed beבָּ֘ר֤וּךְbā·rūḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֨ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → from Zionמִצִּיּ֗וֹןmiṣ·ṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →He who dwellsשֹׁ֘כֵ֤ןšō·ḵên — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemיְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. Hallelujahהַֽלְלוּ־hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 135
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 135 is a magnificent call to corporate worship that celebrates God's sovereignty, power, and faithfulness to His covenant people. The psalmist invites all who serve the Lord to praise Him, then rehearses God's mighty deeds in history—especially the exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan—as proof of His supremacy over all other gods. The psalm culminates by contrasting the living God with dead idols and calls the entire community of faith to bless the Lord together. This is essentially a hymn of praise rooted in historical remembrance, designed to strengthen faith and inspire devotion.

Verses 1-3: The Call to Praise

The psalmist opens with urgent, repeated calls to praise—"Praise ye the LORD" appears three times in rapid succession (verse 1). He addresses three groups: all servants of the Lord generally, and then more specifically those who stand in God's house (the temple) and His courts. This suggests both private devotion and corporate worship. The reason for praise is given in verse 3: the LORD is good, and praising His name is pleasant. The Hebrew word here conveys not mere obligation but delight—worship is meant to bring joy to both worshiper and worshiped.

Application: Are we approaching worship as a burden, or as something genuinely pleasant? The psalmist reminds us that praise flows from recognizing God's goodness.

Verses 4-5: God's Choice and Supremacy

Verse 4 recalls God's election of Israel as His "peculiar treasure"—a phrase emphasizing that Israel belonged to God in a special way (see Exodus 19:5). This was not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign choice. Verse 5 shifts perspective from God's covenant relationship to His cosmic authority: the Lord is great and above all gods. This affirmation doesn't deny the existence of other deities in the ancient Near Eastern worldview, but rather declares that the true God towers infinitely above them in power and glory.

Application: Believers today are likewise chosen by grace (Ephesians 1:4). Like Israel, we are called to live as God's treasured possession, secure in His sovereign love.

Verses 6-12: God's Power in Creation and History

These verses present God's authority through two lenses. Verses 6-8 emphasize His control over creation—He does whatever He pleases in heaven, earth, sea, and the depths. The examples are poetic and specific: He causes vapor to rise, creates lightning for rain, and commands the wind from His treasuries. Then the psalm pivots to God's historical power, rehearsing the plagues of Egypt (verses 8-9) and the conquest of Canaan (verses 10-12). The mention of Sihon, Og, and the kingdoms of Canaan reminds readers of the wilderness wanderings and Joshua's conquest—events that demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promise to give Israel the land. Verse 12 emphasizes that all this was done to fulfill His covenant: He gave the land as a heritage to His people.

Application: God's power over nature and history assures us that He is able to fulfill His promises to us, whatever our circumstances.

Verses 13-18: God's Eternity and the Emptiness of Idols

Verse 13 declares that God's name and memorial endure forever—His reputation and His remembrance are eternal. Verses 14 shows His character: He judges His people with justice but also shows compassion toward His servants. Then comes a decisive contrast: verses 15-18 expose the futility of idols. Made of silver and gold by human hands, these false gods have mouths that don't speak, eyes that don't see, and ears that don't hear—they are utterly lifeless. Verse 18 delivers a sobering truth: those who make and trust in idols become like them, spiritually dead and ineffective.

Application: What "idols" compete for our trust today—money, status, technology, relationships? Like ancient idols, they cannot ultimately deliver what we need.

Verses 19-21: Corporate Blessing

The psalm concludes by calling the three priestly and national divisions of Israel—the house of Israel, Aaron (priests), and Levi (Levites)—to bless the Lord together. Verse 21 locates the blessing in Zion and Jerusalem, reminding us that praise originates from God's chosen sanctuary. The final "Praise ye the LORD" echoes the opening, bringing the hymn full circle.

Application: Corporate worship unites us as God's people. Whether in ancient temple or modern church, we bless the Lord together.

Application for Today

Psalm 135 calls us to remember what God has done and to let that remembrance fuel our praise. In a world of empty substitutes and false gods, the psalmist invites us to fix our gaze on the one true God—sovereign, powerful, and eternally faithful. Our worship should flow from genuine recognition of His goodness and His supremacy, and it should be shared with others in the household of faith. As you read Scripture and reflect on God's faithfulness in your own life, let this psalm be your guide: pause, remember, and

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