Tehillim 135

1 35 Praise Hashem. Halelu Shem Hashem; Halelu, O ye avadim of Hashem.

2 Ye that stand ministering in the Beis Hashem, in the khatzerot Beis Eloheinu.

3 Praise Hashem; for Hashem is tov; sing praise unto Shmo; for it is na’im (lovely, pleasing).

4 For Hashem hath chosen Ya’akov unto Himself, and Yisroel for His segullah (peculiar treasure).

5 For I know that Hashem is gadol, and that Adoneinu is above kol elohim.

6 Whatsoever Hashem pleases, that He does in Shomayim, and in HaAretz, in HaYam, and kol tehomot.

7 He causeth the clouds to ascend at the end of HaAretz; He maketh lightning for the matar (rain); He bringeth the ruach out of His otzarot.

8 Who struck down the Bechorei Mitzrayim, both of adam and behemah.

9 Who sent otot and mofetim into the midst of thee, O Mitzrayim, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his avadim.

10 Who struck down Goyim rabbim, and slaughtered melachim atzumim (powerful kings);

11 Sichon Melech HaEmori, and Og Melech HaBashan, and all the mamlechot Kena’an;

12 And gave their land for a nachalah, an inheritance unto Yisroel Amo (His people).

13 Thy Shem, Hashem, endureth l’olam; and Thy remembrance, Hashem, l’dor vador.

14 For Hashem will vindicate His people; He will have compassion on His avadim.

15 The idols of the Goyim are kesef and zahav, the ma’aseh yedei adam.

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

17 They have oznayim, but they hear not; neither is there any ruach in their mouths.

18 They that oseihem (make them) will be like them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

19 Barakhu Hashem, O Bais Yisroel; barakhu Hashem, O Bais Aharon;

20 Barakhu Hashem, O Bais HaLevi; ye that fear Hashem, barakhu Hashem.

21 Baruch Hashem out of Tziyon, which dwelleth at Yerushalayim. Praise Hashem.

Tehillim 135 Commentary

Chapter 135

God to be praised for his mercy. (1-4) For his power and judgments. (5-14) The vanity of idols. (15-21)

Verses 1-4 The subject-matter of praise, is the blessings of grace flowing from the everlasting love of God. The name of God as a covenant God and Father in Christ, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in him, is to be loved and praised. The Lord chose a people to himself, that they might be unto him for a name and a praise. If they do not praise him for this distinguishing favour, they are the most unworthy and ungrateful of all people.

Verses 5-14 God is, and will be always, the same to his church, a gracious, faithful, wonder-working God. And his church is, and will be, the same to him, a thankful, praising people: thus his name endures for ever. He will return in ways of mercy to them, and will delight to do them good.

Verses 15-21 These verses arm believers against idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods the heathen worshipped. And the more deplorable the condition of the Gentile nations that worship idols, the more are we to be thankful that we know better. Let us pity, and pray for, and seek to benefit benighted heathens and deluded sinners. Let us endeavour to glorify his name, and recommend his truth, not only with our lips, but by holy lives, copying the example of Christ's goodness and truth.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 135

This psalm was written very probably by the same hand as the former. It begins in much the same manner; it has some likeness with Psalm 113 and 114. It begins and ends with "hallelujah"; and is throughout an exhortation of praise to God, on account of his name, nature, and perfections; and because of his works of creation, providence, and grace, many of which are enumerated. The Syriac interpreter says, there is an intimation in it of the conversion of the people of the Messiah unto the faith.