Psalm 135:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!

NIV: house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord.

NASB: House of Levi, bless the Lord; You who revere the Lord, bless the Lord.

CSB: House of Levi, bless the Lord! You who revere the Lord, bless the Lord!

NLT: O Levites, praise the Lord! All you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord!

KJV: Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

NKJV: Bless the Lord, O house of Levi! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!

Psalm 135:19–21 poetically calls on the entire nation to worship God. Israel was the new name given to Jacob (Genesis 32:28), patriarch of the twelve tribes. One of those tribes was Levi (Genesis 35:23–26). Levites were charged with care of the tabernacle and temple (Numbers 1:50). Within the Levites, Aaron's line (Numbers 26:59) were priests (Exodus 40:13–15). Those who "fear" God revere and praise Him appropriately (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 112:1). Jerusalem is also called Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1) and was the center of Israel's political and spiritual life.

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 2:12:42 AM