1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7 He 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.
8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10 Who smote great 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 an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15 The idols of the heathen 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 are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
1 Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050 Praise H1984 ye the name H8034 of the LORD; H3068 praise H1984 him, O ye servants H5650 of the LORD. H3068
2 Ye that stand H5975 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 in the courts H2691 of the house H1004 of our God, H430
3 Praise H1984 the LORD; H3050 for the LORD H3068 is good: H2896 sing praises H2167 unto his name; H8034 for it is pleasant. H5273
4 For the LORD H3050 hath chosen H977 Jacob H3290 unto himself, and Israel H3478 for his peculiar treasure. H5459
5 For I know H3045 that the LORD H3068 is great, H1419 and that our Lord H113 is above all gods. H430
6 Whatsoever the LORD H3068 pleased, H2654 that did H6213 he in heaven, H8064 and in earth, H776 in the seas, H3220 and all deep places. H8415
7 He causeth the vapours H5387 to ascend H5927 from the ends H7097 of the earth; H776 he maketh H6213 lightnings H1300 for the rain; H4306 he bringeth H3318 the wind H7307 out of his treasuries. H214
8 Who smote H5221 the firstborn H1060 of Egypt, H4714 both of man H120 and beast. H929
9 Who sent H7971 tokens H226 and wonders H4159 into the midst H8432 of thee, O Egypt, H4714 upon Pharaoh, H6547 and upon all his servants. H5650
10 Who smote H5221 great H7227 nations, H1471 and slew H2026 mighty H6099 kings; H4428
11 Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 and Og H5747 king H4428 of Bashan, H1316 and all the kingdoms H4467 of Canaan: H3667
12 And gave H5414 their land H776 for an heritage, H5159 an heritage H5159 unto Israel H3478 his people. H5971
13 Thy name, H8034 O LORD, H3068 endureth for ever; H5769 and thy memorial, H2143 O LORD, H3068 throughout all H1755 generations. H1755
14 For the LORD H3068 will judge H1777 his people, H5971 and he will repent H5162 himself concerning his servants. H5650
15 The idols H6091 of the heathen H1471 are silver H3701 and gold, H2091 the work H4639 of men's H120 hands. H3027
16 They have mouths, H6310 but they speak H1696 not; eyes H5869 have they, but they see H7200 not;
17 They have ears, H241 but they hear H238 not; neither is there H3426 any breath H7307 in their mouths. H6310
18 They that make H6213 them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth H982 in them.
19 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Israel: H3478 bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Aaron: H175
20 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O house H1004 of Levi: H3878 ye that fear H3373 the LORD, H3068 bless H1288 the LORD. H3068
21 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 out of Zion, H6726 which dwelleth H7931 at Jerusalem. H3389 Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise `him', O ye servants of Jehovah,
2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, `And' Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
7 Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;
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.
19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:
20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.
1 Praise ye Jah! Praise ye the name of Jehovah, Praise, ye servants of Jehovah,
2 Who are standing in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise ye Jah! for Jehovah `is' good, Sing praise to His name, for `it is' pleasant.
4 For Jacob hath Jah chosen for Himself, Israel for His peculiar treasure.
5 For I have known that great `is' Jehovah, Yea, our Lord `is' above all gods.
6 All that Jehovah pleased He hath done, In the heavens and in earth, In the seas and all deep places,
7 Causing vapours to ascend from the end of the earth, Lightnings for the rain He hath made, Bringing forth wind from His treasures.
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, From man unto beast.
9 He sent tokens and wonders into thy midst, O Egypt, On Pharaoh and on all his servants.
10 Who smote many nations, and slew strong kings,
11 Even Sihon king of the Amorite, And Og king of Bashan, And all kingdoms of Canaan.
12 And He gave their land an inheritance, An inheritance to Israel His people,
13 O Jehovah, Thy name `is' to the age, O Jehovah, Thy memorial to all generations.
14 For Jehovah doth judge His people, And for His servants comforteth Himself.
15 The idols of the nations `are' silver and gold, Work of the hands of man.
16 A mouth they have, and they speak not, Eyes they have, and they see not,
17 Ears they have, and they give not ear, Nose -- there is no breath in their mouth!
18 Like them are their makers, Every one who is trusting in them.
19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah, O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah,
20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah, Those fearing Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
21 Blessed `is' Jehovah from Zion, Inhabiting Jerusalem -- praise ye Jah!
1 Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jehovah; praise, ye servants of Jehovah,
2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise ye Jah; for Jehovah is good: sing psalms unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For Jah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, Israel for his own possession.
5 For *I* know that Jehovah is great, and our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, he hath done in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps;
7 Who causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; who maketh lightnings for the rain; who bringeth the wind out of his treasuries:
8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast;
9 Who sent signs and miracles into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants;
10 Who smote great 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 an inheritance, an inheritance unto Israel his people.
13 Thy name, O Jehovah, is for ever; thy memorial, O Jehovah, from generation to generation.
14 For Jehovah will judge his people, and will repent in favour of his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands:
16 They have a mouth, and they speak not; eyes have they, and they see not;
17 They have ears, and they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouth.
18 They that make them are like unto them, -- every one that confideth in them.
19 House of Israel, bless ye Jehovah; house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah;
20 House of Levi, bless ye Jehovah; ye that fear Jehovah, bless Jehovah.
21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, who dwelleth at Jerusalem! Hallelujah!
1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,
2 You who stand in the house of Yahweh, In the courts of our God's house.
3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that Yahweh is great, That our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
7 Who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings with the rain; Who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;
8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and animal;
9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, On Pharaoh, and on all his servants;
10 Who struck many nations, And killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage to Israel, his people.
13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; Your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.
14 For Yahweh will judge his people, And have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they can't speak; They have eyes, but they can't see;
17 They have ears, but they can't hear; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them; Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!
20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!
21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
1 Let the Lord be praised. O you servants of the Lord, give praise to the name of the Lord.
2 You who are in the house of the Lord, and in the open spaces of the house of our God,
3 Give praise to Jah, for he is good: make melody to his name, for it is pleasing.
4 For the Lord has taken Jacob for himself, and Israel for his property.
5 I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is greater than all other gods.
6 The Lord has done whatever was pleasing to him, in heaven, and on the earth, in the seas and in all the deep waters.
7 He makes the mists go up from the ends of the earth; he makes thunder-flames for the rain; he sends out the winds from his store-houses.
8 He put to death the first-fruits of Egypt, of man and of beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders among you, O Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.
10 He overcame great nations, and put strong kings to death;
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, even for a heritage to Israel his people.
13 O Lord, your name is eternal; and the memory of you will have no end.
14 For the Lord will be judge of his people's cause; his feelings will be changed to his servants.
15 The images of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but no voice, they have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but no hearing; and there is no breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who puts his hope in them.
19 Give praise to the Lord, O children of Israel: give praise to the Lord, O sons of Aaron:
20 Give praise to the Lord, O sons of Levi: let all the worshippers of the Lord give him praise.
21 Praise be to the Lord out of Zion, even to the Lord whose house is in Jerusalem, Let the Lord be praised.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 135
Commentary on Psalms 135 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
Four-Voiced Hallelujah to the God of Israel, the God of Gods
Psalms 135 is here and there (vid., Tפsefפth Pesachim 117 a ) taken together with Psalms 134:1-3 as one Psalm. The combining of Ps 115 with Psalms 114:1-8 is a misapprehension caused by the inscriptionless character of Ps 115, whereas Ps 135 and Psalms 134:1-3 certainly stand in connection with one another. For the Hallelujah Psalms 135 is, as the mutual relation between the beginning and close of Psalms 134:1-3 shows, a Psalm-song expanded out of this shorter hymn, that is in part drawn from Ps 115.
It is a Psalm in the mosaic style. Even the Latin poet Lucilius transfers the figure of mosaic-work to style, when he says: quam lepide lexeis compostae ut tesserulae omnes ... In the case of Psalms 135 it is not the first time that we have met with this kind of style. We have already had a glimpse of it in Psalms 97:1-12 and Psalms 98:1-9. These Psalms were composed more especially of deutero-Isaianic passages, whereas Psalms 135 takes its tesserulae out of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms.
The beginning is taken from Psalms 134:1; Psalms 135:2 recalls Psalms 116:19 (cf. Psalms 92:14); and Psalms 135:4 is an echo of Deuteronomy 7:6. The servants of Jahve to whom the summons is addressed, are not, as in Psalms 134:1., His official servants in particular, but according to Psalms 135:2 , where the courts, in the plural, are allotted to them as their standing-place, and according to Psalms 135:19-20, those who fear Him as a body. The threefold Jahve at the beginning is then repeated in Jāh ( הללוּ־יהּ , cf. note 1 to PsPsalms 104:35), Jahve , and Jāh . The subject of כּי נעים is by no means Jahve (Hupfeld), whom they did not dare to call נעים in the Old Testament, but either the Name, according to Ps 54:8 (Luther, Hitzig), or, which is favoured by Psalms 147:1 (cf. Proverbs 22:18), the praising of His Name (Appolinaris: ἐπεὶ τόδε καλὸν ἀείδειν ): His Name to praise is a delightful employ, which is incumbent on Israel as the people of His choice and of His possession.
The praise itself now begins. כּי in Psalms 135:4 set forth the ground of the pleasant duty, and the כי that begins this strophe confirms that which warrants the summons out of the riches of the material existing for such a hymn of praise. Worthy is He to be praised, for Israel knows full well that He who hath chosen it is the God of gods. The beginning is taken from Psalms 115:3, and Psalms 135:7 from Jeremiah 10:13 (Psalms 51:16). Heaven, earth, and water are the three kingdoms of created things, as in Exodus 20:4. נשׂיא signifies that which is lifted up, ascended; here, as in Jeremiah, a cloud. The meaning of בּרקים למּטר עשׂה is not: He makes lightnings into rain, i.e., resolves them as it were into rain, which is unnatural; but either according to Zechariah 10:1 : He produces lightnings in behalf of rain, in order that the rain may pour down in consequence of the thunder and lightning, or poetically: He makes lightnings for the rain, so that the rain is announced (Apollinaris) and accompanied by them. Instead of מוצא (cf. Psalms 78:16; Psalms 105:43), which does not admit of the retreating of the tone, the expression is מוצא , the ground-form of the part. Hiph . for plurals like מחצרים , מחלמים , מעזרים , perhaps not without being influenced by the ויּוצא in Jeremiah, for it is not מוצא from מצא that signifies “producing,” but מוציא = מפיק . The metaphor of the treasuries is like Job 38:22. What is intended is the fulness of divine power, in which lie the grounds of the origin and the impulses of all things in nature.
Worthy is He to be praised, for He is the Redeemer out of Egypt. בּתוככי as in Psalms 116:19, cf. Psalms 105:27.
Worthy is He to be praised, for He is the Conqueror of the Land of Promise. in connection with Psalms 135:10 one is reminded of Deuteronomy 4:38; Deuteronomy 7:1; Deuteronomy 9:1; Deuteronomy 11:23; Joshua 23:9. גּוים רבּים are here not many, but great peoples (cf. גּדלים in Psalms 136:17), since the parallel word עצוּמים is by no means intended of a powerful number, but of powerful might (cf. Isaiah 53:12). As to the rest also, the poet follows the Book of Deuteronomy: viz., לכל ממלכות as in Deuteronomy 3:21, and נתן נחלה as in Deuteronomy 4:38 and other passages. It is all Deuteronomic with the exception of the שׁ , and the ל e in Psalms 135:11 as the nota accus . (as in Psalms 136:19., cf. Psalms 69:6; Psalms 116:16; Psalms 129:3); the construction of הרג is just as Aramaizing in Job 5:2; 2 Samuel 3:30 (where 2 Samuel 3:30-31, like 2 Samuel 3:36-37, are a later explanatory addition). The הרג alternating with הכּה is, next to the two kings, also referred to the kingdoms of Canaan, viz., their inhabitants. Og was also an Amoritish king, Deuteronomy 3:8.
This God who rules so praiseworthily in the universe and in the history of Israel is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Just as Psalms 135:13 (cf. Psalms 102:13) is taken from Exodus 3:15, so Psalms 135:14 is taken from Deuteronomy 32:36, cf. Psalms 90:13, and vid., on Hebrews 10:30-31.
For the good of His proved church He ever proves Himself to be the Living God, whereas idols and idol-worshippers are vain - throughout following Psalms 115:4-8, but with some abridgments. Here only the אף used as a particle recalls what is said there of the organ of smell ( אף ) of the idols that smells not, just as the רוּח which is here (as in Jeremiah 10:14) denied to the idols recalls the הריח denied to them there. It is to be rendered: also there is not a being of breath, i.e., there is no breath at all, not a trace thereof, in their mouth. It is different in 1 Samuel 21:9, where אין ישׁ (not אין ) is meant to be equivalent to the Aramaic אין אית , num ( an ) est ; אין is North-Palestinian, and equivalent to the interrogatory אם (after which the Targum renders אלּוּ אית ).
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 Psalms 115:9-11; Psalms 118:2-4, is rendered fourfold here by the introduction of the house of the Levites, and the wishing of a blessing in Psalms 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.