Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 135 » Verse 10-18

Psalms 135:10-18 American Standard (ASV)

10 Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.

13 Thy name, O Jehovah, `endureth' for ever; Thy memorial `name', O Jehovah, throughout all generations.

14 For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.

Commentary on Psalms 135 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 135

Ps 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.

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

6. heaven, and … seas, and all … ends of the earth—denote universality.

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

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

13. heritage—or, "possession."

name … memorial—Each denote that by which God is made known.

14. will judge—do justice (Ps 72:2).

repent himself—change His dealings (Ps 90:13).

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

18. are like unto them—or, "shall be like," &c. Idolaters become spiritually stupid and perish with their idols (Isa 1:31).

19-21. (Compare Ps 115:9-11). There we have "trust" for "bless" here.

21. out of Zion—(Compare Ps 110:2; 134:3). From the Church, as a center, His praise is diffused throughout the earth.