PSALM CXXXV _An exhortation to praise God for his goodness and greatness_, 1-5; _for his wonders in nature_, 6, 7; _his wonders done in Egypt_, 8, 9; _in the wilderness_, 10-12; _for his goodness to his people_, 13, 14. _The vanity of idols_, 15-18. _Israel, with its priests and Levites, exh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:2. _YE THAT STAND_] Priests and Levites. For which he gives several reasons.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:3. _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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:4. _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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:5. _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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:6. _WHATSOEVER THE LORD PLEASED_] All that he has done is _right_, and therefore it is _pleasing_ in his sight. He is the author of all existence. Angels, men, spirits, the heavens, the earth, and all their contents, were made by him, and are under his control.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:7. _HE CAUSETH THE VAPOURS TO ASCEND_] Dr. Shaw thinks that the account here refers to the _autumnal_ rains in the east. Of them he speaks as follows: "Seldom a night passes without much _lightning_ in the north-west quarter, but not attended with _thunder_; and when this _lightning... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:8. _WHO SMOTE THE FIRST-BORN OF EGYPT_] See the parallel passages.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:14. _THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE_] He will do them justice against their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:15. _THE IDOLS OF THE HEATHEN_] This verse and the following, to the end of the 18th, Psalms 135:15 are almost word for word the same as verses 4-8 of Psalm cxv., where see the notes. Psalms 115:4... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:17. To this verse one of _Kennicott's_ MSS. adds the 6th and 7th verses of Psalm cxv. Psalms 115:6... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:19. _BLESS THE LORD. O HOUSE, C._] See similar verses, Psalms 115:9, and the notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 135:21. _BLESSED BE THE LORD OUT OF ZION_] Who has once more restored our temple and city, and now condescends to _dwell_ with us _in Jerusalem_. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH PSALM In this Psalm the prophet invites the servants of God, and especially his ministers, to prai... [ Continue Reading ]