Psalm One Hundred and Thirty Five

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

Navigate to Verse

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Psalm 135:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Psalm 135:2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

Psalm 135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Psalm 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

peculiar treasure. This phrase is one word in the Hebrew, translated “jewels” in Malachi 3:17.

Psalm 135:5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Psalm 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Psalm 135:7 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.

vapours. This is a striking anticipation of modern scientific understanding of the hydrologic cycle—evaporation from the oceans, transportation of the waters inland by the great atmospheric circulation, then electricity to activate condensation and precipitation. This verse is almost identical to the last part of Jeremiah 10:13 and Jeremiah 51:16, which suggests the possibility that the prophet Jeremiah may have written Psalm 135.

Psalm 135:8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Psalm 135:9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

Psalm 135:10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

Psalm 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

Psalm 135:12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

Psalm 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

Psalm 135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

Psalm 135:15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

work of men's hands. This sarcastic evaluation of idols and those who worship them (Psalm 135:15-19) is essentially repeated from Psalm 115:4-10.

Psalm 135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

Psalm 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Psalm 135:18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

Psalm 135:19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

Psalm 135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Psalm 135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.