Psalms 135

1 Hallelujah [praise the Lord, rejoice]! Praise [extol, magnify] the name [character, reputation] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]. Give praise [thanksgiving, adoration], O servants [slaves, bondservants] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], word study 2 who stand [firmly, in a strong sense] in the house [dwelling place, temple] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], in the courts [surrounding areas, villages] of the house [place of worship] of our God [Elohim, the one supreme God]. word study 3 Hallelujah [praise the Lord], for the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of lords] is good [beneficial, pleasing]; sing praises [make music, celebrate] to His name [His identity, character], for it is lovely [pleasant, wonderful, a sweet sound]. word study 4 For the LORD [Jah, the self-existent One] has chosen [selected, picked out] Jacob [as His own special people] as His own [peculiar, treasured], Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen nation] as His treasured [valuable, highly prized] possession [a cherished treasure]. word study 5 For [because of my understanding] I know [have come to understand, am aware] that the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] is great [mighty, powerful]; our Lord [Adonai, our Master] is above [supreme over, greater than] all [every, everything] gods [Elohim, divine beings]. word study 6 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] does all [everything, whatsoever] that pleases [delights, is pleasing to] Him in the heavens [the visible universe, sky] and on the earth [land, ground], in the seas [large bodies of water] and in all [every] their depths [abyss, deep waters]. word study 7 He causes the clouds [vapors, mists] to rise from the ends [borders, edges] of the earth [land, territory]. He generates [makes, creates] the lightning [thunder-flames, flashing] with the rain [water from the sky] and brings forth [sends out, draws] the wind [a blast of air] from His storehouses [treasuries, repositories]. word study 8 He struck down [smote, killed] the firstborn [initial offspring, premier child] of Egypt [the northeastern African nation], of both man [human, Adam’s descendants] and beast [animal, livestock, including large quadruped mammals]. word study 9 He sent signs [tokens, miraculous signs] and [special displays of God’s power] wonders into your [central] midst, O [the land of] Egypt, against [the king of] Pharaoh and all [every one of] his [faithful attendants] servants. word study 10 He struck down [smote, overcame, destroyed] many [numerous, great] nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples] and slaughtered [killed, slew] mighty [powerful, strong] kings [royal rulers, monarchs]: word study 11 Sihon [a king of the Amorite people-group] king of the Amorites [a Canaanite tribe], Og [a powerful giant] king of Bashan [a fertile region east of the Jordan], and all [every single one] the kings [rulers, monarchs] of Canaan [the land of the Canaanites, modern-day Israel]. word study 12 He gave [handed over, entrusted] their land [territory, country] as an inheritance [a heritage, a gift], as a heritage [a legacy, a birthright] to His people [nation, community] Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen]. word study 13 Your name [national name, Yehovah], O LORD [Yehovah, God], endures [stands, remains] forever [through all eternity, always], Your renown [memorial, remembrance], O LORD, through [across, throughout] all generations [periods of time, groups of people]. word study 14 For [because of this reason] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] will vindicate [judge, avenge, bring justice to] His people [a nation, community] and will have compassion [show pity, be merciful] on His servants [those who serve, attend, minister]. word study 15 The idols [images, statues] of the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples] are silver [precious metal, wealth] and gold [valuable, brilliant], made by the hands [power, direction] of men [human beings, Adam’s descendants]. word study 16 They have mouths [lips, or edges of the face], but cannot speak [or utter a sound]; they have eyes [sight, or organs of vision], but cannot see [or perceive with their senses]; word study 17 they have ears [organs of hearing], but cannot hear [give no attention to sound]; nor is there [exists no] breath [spirit, life-giving air] in their mouths [lips, the edge of the mouth]. word study 18 Those who make [create, fashion] them become [are likened to, resemble] like [similar to, akin to] them, as do [in the same way, likewise] all [every single one, everything] who trust [put their confidence, have faith] in them [rely on, depend on]. word study 19 O house [dwelling place, family] of Israel [Jacob’s descendants], bless [praise, honor, kneel in worship] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; O house [place, temple] of Aaron [the first high priest], bless [praise, give thanks] the LORD [the Lord of Israel]; word study 20 O house [dwelling place, family] of Levi [a son of Jacob], bless [praise, honor] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; you who fear [are reverent, have awe] the LORD, bless [praise, worship] the LORD! word study 21 Blessed [praised, honored] be the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] from Zion [the city of God, the mountain of His holiness]— He who dwells [resides, abides] in Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital of Israel]. Hallelujah [praise the LORD, let God be magnified]! word study