Psa 135:1-5 | Clarke | STEP | An exhortation to praise God for his goodness and greatness, ; for his wonders in nature, , ; his wonders done in Egypt, , ; in the wilderness, ; for his goodness to his people, , . The vanity of idols, . Israel, with its priests and Levites, exhorted to praise the Lord, . This Psalm is intimately connected with the preceding. It is an exhortation addressed to the priests and Levites, and to all Israel, to publish the praises of the Lord. The conclusion of this Psalm is nearly the same with Psalm 115; and what is said about idols, and the effects of the power of God, seems to be taken from it and the tenth chapter of Jeremiah; and from these and other circumstances it appears the Psalm was written after the captivity; and might as Calmet conjectures, have been used at the dedication of the second temple. Verse 1 Praise ye the Lord - This may be considered as the title, for it has none other. Praise ye the name of the Lord - Perhaps the original הללו את שם יהוה haleu eth shem Yehovah, should be translated, Praise ye the name Jehovah; that is, Praise God in his infinite essence of being, holiness, goodness, and truth.

Psalms 135:1-5

Introduction

An exhortation to praise God for his goodness and greatness, Psa 135:1-5; for his wonders in nature, Psa 135:6, Psa 135:7; his wonders done in Egypt, Psa 135:8, Psa 135:9; in the wilderness, Psa 135:10-12; for his goodness to his people, Psa 135:13, Psa 135:14. The vanity of idols, Psa 135:15-18. Israel, with its priests and Levites, exhorted to praise the Lord, Psa 135:19-21.

This Psalm is intimately connected with the preceding. It is an exhortation addressed to the priests and Levites, and to all Israel, to publish the praises of the Lord. The conclusion of this Psalm is nearly the same with Psalm 115; and what is said about idols, and the effects of the power of God, seems to be taken from it and the tenth chapter of Jeremiah; and from these and other circumstances it appears the Psalm was written after the captivity; and might as Calmet conjectures, have been used at the dedication of the second temple.

Verse 1

Praise ye the Lord - This may be considered as the title, for it has none other.

Praise ye the name of the Lord - Perhaps the original הללו את שם יהוה haleu eth shem Yehovah, should be translated, Praise ye the name Jehovah; that is, Praise God in his infinite essence of being, holiness, goodness, and truth. Verse 2

Ye that stand - Priests and Levites. For which he gives several reasons. Verse 3

The Lord is good - Here is the first reason why he should be praised; and a second is subjoined:

For it is pleasant - It is becoming to acknowledge this infinite Being, and our dependence on him; and it is truly comfortable to an upright mind to be thus employed. Verse 4

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob - This is a third reason. He has taken the Israelites for his peculiar people, סגלתו segullatho, his peculiar treasure; and now has brought them home to himself from their captivity and wanderings. Verse 5

The Lord is great - Unlimited in his power: another reason.

Is above all gods - Every class of being, whether idolized or not; because he is the Fountain of existence. This is a fifth reason.