Psalm 135[a]
Praise of God, the Ruler and Benefactor of Israel
1 Hallelujah!
I
Praise the name of the Lord!
Praise, you servants of the Lord,(A)
2 Who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God!(B)
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good!
Sing to his name, for it brings joy!
4 [b]For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his treasured possession.(C)
II
5 For I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.(D)
6 Whatever the Lord desires
he does in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all the depths.(E)
7 It is he who raises storm clouds from the end of the earth,
makes lightning for the rain,
and brings forth wind from his storehouse.(F)
III
8 He struck down Egypt’s firstborn,(G)
of human being and beast alike,
9 And sent signs and wonders against you, Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 It is he who struck down many nations,(H)
and slew mighty kings—
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
all the kings of Canaan—
12 And made their land a heritage,
a heritage for Israel his people.
13 O Lord, your name is forever,
your renown, from generation to generation!(I)
14 For the Lord defends his people,
shows mercy to his servants.(J)
IV
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,(K)
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths but do not speak;
they have eyes but do not see;
17 They have ears but do not hear;
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Their makers will become like them,
and anyone who trusts in them.
V
19 House of Israel, bless the Lord!(L)
House of Aaron, bless the Lord!
20 House of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
who dwells in Jerusalem!
Hallelujah!
Footnotes
- Psalm 135 The hymn begins and ends with an invitation to praise God (Ps 135:1–3, 19–20) for the great act of choosing Israel (Ps 135:4). The story of Israel’s emergence as a people is told in Ps 135:5–14; God created and redeemed the people, easily conquering all opposition. God’s defeat of hostile powers means that the powers themselves and their images are useless (Ps 135:15–18). The last three verses appear also in Ps 115:4–8.
- 135:4 Though all nations are God’s, Israel has a special status as God’s “treasured” people: Ex 19:5; Dt 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Mal 3:17.
Cross references
- 135:1 : Ps 113:1.
- 135:2 : Ps 134:1.
- 135:4 : Ps 33:12; 144:15; Ex 19:6; Dt 7:6.
- 135:5 : Ps 95:3; Ex 18:11.
- 135:6 : Ps 115:3.
- 135:7 : Ps 148:8; Jer 10:13; 51:16; Jb 37:9.
- 135:8–9 : Ps 78:51; 105:27, 36; 136:10; Ex 12:29.
- 135:10–12 : Ps 136:17–22; Nm 21:21–35; Dt 2:24–3:17.
- 135:13 : Ps 102:13; Ex 3:15.
- 135:14 : Dt 32:36.
- 135:15–18 : Ps 115:4–6, 8.
- 135:19–20 : Ps 118:2–4.