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Psalm 135[a]

Praise of God, the Ruler and Benefactor of Israel

Hallelujah!

I

Praise the name of the Lord!
    Praise, you servants of the Lord,(A)
Who stand in the house of the Lord,
    in the courts of the house of our God!(B)
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good!
    Sing to his name, for it brings joy!
[b]For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
    Israel as his treasured possession.(C)

II

For I know that the Lord is great,
    that our Lord is greater than all gods.(D)
Whatever the Lord desires
    he does in heaven and on earth,
    in the seas and all the depths.(E)
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

He struck down Egypt’s firstborn,(G)
    of human being and beast alike,
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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Psalm 135(A)

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the name of the Lord;
    praise him, you servants(B) of the Lord,
you who minister in the house(C) of the Lord,
    in the courts(D) of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;(E)
    sing praise to his name,(F) for that is pleasant.(G)
For the Lord has chosen Jacob(H) to be his own,
    Israel to be his treasured possession.(I)

I know that the Lord is great,(J)
    that our Lord is greater than all gods.(K)
The Lord does whatever pleases him,(L)
    in the heavens and on the earth,(M)
    in the seas and all their depths.
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
    he sends lightning with the rain(N)
    and brings out the wind(O) from his storehouses.(P)

He struck down the firstborn(Q) of Egypt,
    the firstborn of people and animals.
He sent his signs(R) and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
    against Pharaoh and all his servants.(S)
10 He struck down many(T) nations
    and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon(U) king of the Amorites,(V)
    Og king of Bashan,(W)
    and all the kings of Canaan(X)
12 and he gave their land as an inheritance,(Y)
    an inheritance to his people Israel.

13 Your name, Lord, endures forever,(Z)
    your renown,(AA) Lord, through all generations.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people(AB)
    and have compassion on his servants.(AC)

15 The idols of the nations(AD) are silver and gold,
    made by human hands.(AE)
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,(AF)
    eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    nor is there breath(AG) in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.

19 All you Israelites, praise the Lord;(AH)
    house of Aaron, praise the Lord;
20 house of Levi, praise the Lord;
    you who fear him, praise the Lord.
21 Praise be to the Lord from Zion,(AI)
    to him who dwells in Jerusalem.(AJ)

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 135:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verses 3 and 21