Psalms 135

The servants of the Lord are exhorted to praise God for his kindness shewed to Israel; as also in regard of his Almighty power; the contrite vanity of the Idols, and those that make and trust in them, is represented.

1. Hallelu-Jah. [See the Annot. Psalm 104.on v.35. and Psalm 106.on v.1.] Praise the Name of the LORD, praise (him) ye servants of the LORD.

2. Ye that stand [i.e. serve: See Psalm 134.on v.1. and Deut.1.on v.38.] in the house of the LORD, [i.e. in the Tabernacle, or in the Temple; he speaketh here unto the Priests and Levites, or also to the people there assembled] in teh Courts of the house of our God. [Thus he saith, because there were two courts, the one for the priests and Levites, and the other for the people, 2 Chron.4.9.]

3. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good: sing Psalms unto his Name, for he is pleasant. [Others, it is pleasant, viz. To sing Psalms unto him, Psalms 147:1.]

4. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob for himself: [Jacob, viz. And all his off spring. See Exod.19.5.] Israel, [as Jacob] for his peculiar.

5. For I know that the LORD is great: and that the LORD is above [Or, more than] all gods, [i.e. all idols, which the heathen invent and devise for themselves].

6. Whatsoever pleasant the LORD, he doth in the Heavens, and upon the earth, in the Seas and all Abysses.

7. He maketh damps to mount up from the ends of the earth; [i.e. from the Sea which is at the ends of the earth] he makes the lightenings with the rain, [or by, or besides, or unto the rain: i.e. He causeth it to lighten and rain both together; notwithstanding, that water and fire are of contrary natures] He bringeth forth the wind out of his Treasuries. [Wherein he keepeth them shut up, like some treasures of his: as Job 38:22.]

8. Which smote the first-born of Egypt, [Or of the Egyptians] from the man (even) to the cattle. [i.e. both men and cattle.]

9. He sent tokens and wonders in the midst of thee, O Egypt against Pharao, and against all his servants. [Read the Histories of Exodus, to wit to, the 7.8,9,10,14. Chapters.]

10. Which smote many [Or great] Nations: and put to death mighty Kings.

11. Sihon, had the King of the Amorites, and Og the King Basan: [A giant that had an iron bedstead, nine cubits long, and four broad, Numb.21.33,35. Deut.3.v.11.] and all the Kingdoms of Canaan. [in number thirty and one, as may be read, Josh.12.9. to 24.]

12. And he gave their land for an inheritance, to his people Israel.

13. O LORD, thy Name is in Eternity: [i.e. endureth forever, and so again presently] LORD thy memorial is from generation to generation. [i.e. the manifestation and witness of thy mercies which thou shewedst unto thy people doth last forever.]

14. For the LORD shall judge his people [See Gen.15. the note upon v.14. As if he should say: Although the Lord doth sometime grievously chastise his people for their sins; so that it should seem his kindness doth not always remain upon them: Yet when he hath chastised them for a time, he will repent of it, and assuredly deliver them out of the hands of their enemies] and it shall repent him over his servants. [i.e. he shall change his anger into kindness; spoken after the manner of men. See Gen.6.8.]

15. The idols of the heathen, [Heb. The smarts or pains. See the Annot.1. Sam.31.on v.9.] are silver and gold, [i.e. made of silver and gold. This verse and some next following are likewise found. Psalm 115. See teh Annotation there] a work of mens hands.

16. They have a mouth, but speak not: they have eyes, but see not.

17. Ears they have, but hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouth. [Others, also there is no substance, (or being) of breath in their mouth.]

18. Let them that make them, become like them, (and) all (or every one) that puts his trust in them.

19. Thou house of Israel [Or, thou of the house of Israel] praise ye the LORD: thou house of Aaron praise ye the LORD. [or, thou of the house, etc.]

20. Thou house of Levi, praise ye the LORD; ye that fear the LORD, praise the LORD.

21. Praised be the LORD out Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem: Hallelu-Jah.