The big picture
Psalms 135 opens in verse 1 with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye servants of the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:”, and closes in verse 21 with “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD .” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, house, Praise, bless, Israel. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 21Psalms 135:1-7
1–7: Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye…
Psalms 135:1–7 opens with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .” and reaches “He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, Praise, earth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .” Naming Praise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 135:1-7
King James Version1Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .
2Ye that stand in the house of the LORD , in the courts of the house of our God,
3Praise the LORD ; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
Psalms 135:8-14
8–14: Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Psalms 135:8–14 opens with “Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.” and reaches “For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, Egypt, heritage.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 135:8-14
King James Version8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13Thy name, O LORD , endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD , throughout all generations.
14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
Psalms 135:15-21
15–21: The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Psalms 135:15–21 opens with “The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.” and reaches “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD .” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, bless, house.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.” The line’s distinctive content terms include gold, hands, heathen. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 135:15-21
King James Version15The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19Bless the LORD , O house of Israel: bless the LORD , O house of Aaron:
20Bless the LORD , O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD , bless the LORD .
21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 135:1 begins with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise ye the name of the LORD ; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 135:11 forms a natural hinge: “Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:”
The final note
Psalms 135:21 leaves the reader with “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, house, Praise, bless, Israel, name help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.