Psalm 135:3

3 Praise ye the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises to his name; for it is good.

Psalm 135:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 135:3

Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord [is] good
Essentially and communicatively; he is good, and he does good, in a providential way, to all men; and in a way of special grace to his own people; for whom he has laid up and to whom he has promised good things, and on whom he bestows them; as pardon, righteousness, and eternal life; both grace and glory; and therefore they should praise him;

sing praises unto his name, for [it is] pleasant;
either the work of singing praise is pleasant, being the employment of angels and glorified saints; the subject matter of it delightful, the blessings of grace flowing from the everlasting love of God it leads unto, which is excellent and better than life; and it must be pleasant work to a saint, because it is pleasing to God; and especially when the presence of God is enjoyed in it, and melody is made in the heart as well as with the mouth. Or the sense is, "his name is pleasant"; so Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it: for though it is holy and reverend in itself, and fearful and terrible to sinners; yet as it is proclaimed in Christ, it is exceeding delightful, and in whom all the perfections of God are glorified; particularly the name of God, as a covenant God and Father in Christ, blessing, with all spiritual blessings in him, is exceeding pleasant; as are all the names of Christ, and therefore to be praised.

Psalm 135:3 In-Context

1 Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise the Lord, ye his servants,

2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise ye the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises to his name; for it is good.

4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

5 For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods;

6 all that the Lord willed, he did in heaven, and on the earth, in the sea, and in all deeps.

7 Who brings up clouds from the extremity of the earth: he has made lightnings for the rain: he brings winds out of his treasures.

8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.

9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, on Pharao, and on all his servants.

10 Who smote many nations, and slew mighty kings;

11 Seon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Basan, and all the kingdoms of Chanaan:

12 and gave their land for an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel his people.

13 O Lord, thy name endures for ever, and thy memorial to all generations.

14 For the Lord shall judge his people, and comfort himself concerning his servants.

15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the works of men’s hands.

16 They have a mouth, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see;

17 they have ears, but they cannot hear; for there is no breath in their mouth.

18 Let those who make them be made like to them; and all those who trust in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless ye the Lord: O house of Aaron, bless ye the Lord:

20 O house of Levi, bless ye the Lord: ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

21 Blessed in Sion be the Lord, who dwells in Jerusalem.