Psalm 135:13-21

The Hallelujah of the Congregation and Its Servants

Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever, lasting throughout eternity, long after the names of all idols are forgotten; and Thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations, from one generation to the next, not only while the world stands, but beyond the confines of time, world without end.

V. 14. For the Lord will judge His people, obtaining justice for them over against the oppression of the enemies, and He will repent Himself concerning His servants, change His manner of dealing with them to continual kindness, proving Himself the living and gracious God over against the vanity of idols invented by men.

V. 15. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, fashioned from precious metals by the hand of the silversmith, the work of men's hands, made by puny men.

V. 16. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; v. 17. they have ears, but they hear not, neither is there any breath in their mouths, not even a trace of life and breath, the expression emphasizing the lifelessness and helplessness of the idols. Compare Ps. 115, 4-8.

V. 18. They that make them are like unto them, just as stupid spiritually, for the practise of idolatry brutalizes men; so is every one that trusteth in them, altogether without understanding in spiritual matters and destined for perdition.

The summons, therefore, goes out once more: v. 19. Bless the Lord, O house of Israel, the entire congregation of believers; bless the Lord, O house of Aaron, all the priests of the Church; v. 20. bless the Lord, O house of Levi, all the Levites, that is, all the ministers of the Church, no matter of what degree; ye that fear the Lord, all the believers of all times, bless the Lord.

V. 21. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, from the center of true worship, which dwelleth at Jerusalem, His praise being extolled through this proclamation of His name far and wide over the earth.

Praise ye the Lord, the psalm closing, as it began, with a joyful hallelujah in honor of the one true Lord and God, whose blessings are sent forth everywhere in the Gospel-message.