Psalm 135:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.

NIV: and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.

NASB: And He gave their land as an inheritance, An inheritance to His people Israel.

CSB: He gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.

NLT: He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.

KJV: And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

NKJV: And gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people.

Psalm 135:8–12 indicates that the Lord is greater than any nation or king. God demonstrated this during the exodus (Exodus 3:20; 12:29–30). He provided Israel with victory against pagan kings (Deuteronomy 29:7). This was accomplished by His power, and not Israel's own (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). This empowerment was key to Israel's conquest of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7:1–2), a judgment brought on by Canaanite sin (Deuteronomy 9:4–5).

This psalm declares God's greatness with a series of comparisons. The psalmist calls on the temple workers to praise the Lord. He is superior to all idols or false gods. His sovereignty is absolute. He is more powerful than any human king or nation. His fame will never end. Manmade idols are lifeless objects, and those who worship them will become lifeless, as well. All those who honor the Lord should bring their praise.

This song mentions God's creation (Genesis 1:1) and His role in defeating Israel's enemies during the exodus (Exodus 12:29–30; Deuteronomy 29:7). Scripture often points out that objects such as idols have no power, at all (1 Chronicles 16:26; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 12:2). Jerusalem and Zion are often used as different names for the same city (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). Psalm 135 includes three uses of the renowned term halelu-yāh. Parts of this psalm resemble segments of Psalm 115.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 3/29/2025 2:13:12 AM