Psalms 135

This Psalm contains an exhortation to all the Israelites, and especially to the Priests and Levites, to praise God for his great and wonderful works; some particulars whereof are here recorded.

PRaise ye the LORD, praise ye the name of the LORD, praise him, O ye servants of the LORD Ye Priests and Levites, as Psal. 134. 1..

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts Either in the Temple or the inner Court, which were appropriated to the Priests and Levites; or in the outward Court, which was for the people. See 2 Chron. 4. 9. of the house of our God.

Praise ye the LORD, for the LORD is good Bountiful and gracious, especially to you, and therefore he justly expects and deserves your praises.: sing praises unto his name, for it is pleasant The work it self of singing praises to God is pleasant, as it is more fully expressed, Psal. 147. 1..

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

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods Above all that are called Gods, or worshipped as Gods by the heathen people. And therefore seeing they commonly praise and extol their Idols, it becometh you not to be silent as to the praises of your God..

Whatsoever the LORD pleased Either in the creation or government of them., that did he in heaven and in earth His power and juri... diction is universal, and not like that of the heathen Gods, which is confined to their several Countries., in the seas, and all deep places In the visible Seas, and in those invisible depths both of earth and of the waters which are contained in the bowels of the earth..

He causeth the vapours Which are the matter of clouds and rain. to ascend from the ends of the earth Either, 1. from the Sea, the common source of vapors, 1 Kings 18. 44. Amos 5. 8. wherewith both the earth in general, and several particular countries, are terminated or bounded: o... rather, 2. from all parts of the earth from one end to another, as the borders of a land are commonly put for the whole land from one border to another, as Psal. 105. 31, 33. & 147. 14. and oft elsewhere. For in this sense this phrase is generally used in Scripture, as Iob 28. 24. & 38. 13. Psal. 19. 4, 6. & 48. 10. and every where., he maketh lightnings for the rain He bringeth water even out of the fire: he maketh thick clouds, which being broken, produce lightnings, and so are dissolved into showers of rain. So the lightnings are both a sign and in some sort the cause of rain. Or, he maketh lightnings with (as this Particle is used Gen. 46. 26. Psal. 89. 4. & 119. 56, 98.) rain, i. e. he causeth both of them to come out of the same cloud.: he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries Out of those secret places where he reserves them, and whence he bringeth them, as he sees fit. Thus we read of treasures of snow and hail, Iob 38. 22. not that they are formally laid up in any certain places, but to signifie that God has them as much at his disposal as any man has th... which he has laid up in his stores..

Who smote the first-born From the general works of Nature he comes to Gods special works of Providence towards his people. of Egypt, both of man and beast.

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

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings.

Sihon king of the Amorite, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.

And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever, and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations These wonderful works of thine shall never be forgotten. The land which thou gavest us, v. 12. and which we yet enjoy, is an everlasting monument of thy power and goodness, and an obligation and encouragement to trust in thee in all our present or future difficulties..

For the LORD will judge his people Will in due time plead the cause of his people, or give judgment for them, as this phrase is used Deut. 32. 36. Ier. 5. 28 & 22. 16., and he will repent himself concerning his servants He will recal that severe sentence which for their sins he had passed upon them, and be reconciled to them..

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold Of this and the following verses see the Notes on Psal. 115. 4, 5, &c., the work of mens hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not.

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

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

Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron.

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

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion By the assemblies of his people in Zion or Ierusalem., which dwelleth at Jerusalem This clause may be added either to distinguish the true God from the gods which were worshipped in other places and countries; or as a reason why they should bless God, because he had blessed and honoured that place with his gracious and glorious presence.. Praise ye the LORD.