This Psalm was obviously intended for use in the worship of the Second Temple. It begins with a call to those who minister there to praise Jehovah, Who has chosen Israel to be His peculiar people (Psalms 135:1-4). His omnipotence is manifested in Nature (Psalms 135:5-7), and in History (Psalms 135:8... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise ye the Lord_ Heb. Hallelujah. The verse is identical with Psalms 113:1, except that the clauses are transposed.... [ Continue Reading ]
A call to Jehovah's servants to praise Him, since he has chosen Israel to be His own people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye that stand_&c. As in Psalms 134:1, those who minister in the Temple and its precincts are summoned to praise. It is less natural to suppose that the first line refers to the priests and Levites, and the second line (_ye that stand_being supplied) to the worshippers in the outer court.... [ Continue Reading ]
_for_it is _pleasant_ Either -His name is lovely," or -it is pleasant to sing praise." Cp. Psalms 147:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord_ Heb. Jah. The verse is based upon Deuteronomy 7:6; cp. Exodus 19:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I know_ A further reason for praising Jehovah. _I_is emphatic. Though the nations are ignorant of it, Israel in whose name the Psalmist speaks, knows the supreme greatness of Jehovah. _above all gods_ It is clear from Psalms 135:15 ff. that the Psalmist does not intend by this comparison to im... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's greatness and sovereignty exhibited in Nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatsoever Jehovah pleased hath he done, In heaven, and in earth, in the seas and all deeps. The first line is identical with Psalms 115:3 _b_: the second is based on Exodus 20:4. The _deeps_are "the waters under the earth," the subterranean abyss of waters on which the earth was thought to rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taken almost verbatim from Jeremiah 10:13 (Psalms 51:16), where the words occur in a similar context, contrasting Jehovah with idols. _from the ends of the earth_ From the most remote quarters; so that "thou knowest not whence they arise" (S. Aug.); or from the horizon, where they seem to rise as t... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's sovereignty exhibited in the deliverance of His people from Egypt and their establishment in the land of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who _sent tokens_ He sent signs.... [ Continue Reading ]
_great nations_ Or, many nations. Cp. Deuteronomy 7:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sihon and Og, "the two kings of the Amorites," are mentioned as the first and some of the most formidable enemies whom the Israelites met. See Numbers 21:21 ff., Numbers 21:33 ff.; Deuteronomy 2:30 ff; Deuteronomy 3:1 ff.; and cp. Amos 2:9. _kingdoms_ Cp. Deuteronomy 3:21; Joshua 12:7-24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_an heritage_ Cp. Deuteronomy 4:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Exodus 3:15; Psalms 30:4; Psalms 102:12. Jehovah's Name is called His _memorial_, as bringing to mind all that He is and does. Such as He has once revealed Himself to be He will continue for ever. Cp. Hebrews 13:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah is eternally the same, and will not forget His people; whereas the impotent gods of the heathen cannot protect their worshippers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taken verbatim from Deuteronomy 32:36; cp. Psalms 90:13. In virtue of His relation to Israel He will do them justice, and not finally abandon them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taken with some alterations from Psalms 115:4-8. The nonentity of the heathen gods is contrasted with the sovereignty of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Like unto them shall their makers become, Even everyone that trusteth in them.... [ Continue Reading ]
The three-fold call of Psalms 115:9-11; Psalms 118:2-4 is here expanded by the addition of the house of Levi.... [ Continue Reading ]
All Israel is summoned to praise Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed_be Jehovah _out of Zion_ This final adoration corresponds to the prayer with which Psalms 134 concludes. From Zion, which is His earthly dwelling-place, Jehovah's blessing goes forth upon His people: from Zion where they meet to worship, must ring out His people's answer of adoring praise.... [ Continue Reading ]