Psalm 135:1 kjv
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
Psalm 135:1 nkjv
Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
Psalm 135:1 niv
Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, you servants of the LORD,
Psalm 135:1 esv
Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD,
Psalm 135:1 nlt
Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD!
Praise him, you who serve the LORD,
Psalm 135 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 113:1 | Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD... | Direct call to praise the Lord. |
| Psa 148:1 | Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! | Universal call for creation to praise. |
| Psa 150:6 | Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. | Inclusive call to praise God. |
| Psa 106:1 | Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good... | Beginning of a Hallelujah Psalm. |
| Psa 29:2 | Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name... | Honouring God's name through praise. |
| Psa 7:17 | I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. | Praising the Lord's character. |
| Psa 9:2 | I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name... | Praising God's name for His nature. |
| Isa 25:1 | O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name. | Exalting and thanking God's name. |
| Mal 1:11 | ...for My name will be great among the nations... | God's name honored globally. |
| Rom 15:9 | ...as it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” | Gentiles glorifying God's name. |
| Exo 14:31 | ...they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. | Moses as a servant of the Lord. |
| Num 12:7 | With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings; And he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? | God's unique relationship with His servant Moses. |
| Jos 1:2 | Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise... | Succession of leadership, acknowledging God's servant. |
| Jas 1:1 | James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ... | New Testament believers as servants. |
| Rom 1:1 | Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus... | Apostolic example of being a servant. |
| Tit 1:1 | Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ... | Paul's self-identification as servant. |
| Phil 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus... | Shared identity as Christ's servants. |
| Rev 19:5 | And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” | Call for all servants to praise God in heaven. |
| Col 4:12 | Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus... | Another example of NT believer as servant. |
| Psa 103:1 | Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. | Inner and outward praise for God's holy name. |
Psalm 135 verses
Psalm 135 1 Meaning
Psalm 135:1 opens with a powerful, triple-command summons to worship God. It emphatically calls all people, particularly those designated as God's "servants," to praise Yahweh, specifically acclaiming His unique revealed character and sovereign attributes, represented by His holy "name." This verse sets an urgent, celebratory tone for the entire psalm, which then elaborates on the numerous reasons why God alone is worthy of such adoration, primarily His mighty acts in history and creation.
Psalm 135 1 Context
Psalm 135 belongs to a collection of psalms that emphasize Israel's covenant relationship with God and the distinctiveness of Yahweh compared to idols. It is often linked with the "Great Hallel" psalms (113-118, though 135 is sometimes included in broader categorizations of Hallel psalms or Temple liturgy). This psalm likely served as a congregational hymn or liturgical call to worship in the Second Temple. Historically, it echoes themes found in the Song of Moses (Exo 15) and Deuteronomy, recounting God's powerful acts in creation and redemption, particularly the Exodus and conquest of Canaan, in contrast to the impotence of pagan deities. It is both a declaration of praise and a catechetical reminder for the worshipers of God's unique identity and deeds, fostering renewed commitment and adoration.
Psalm 135 1 Word analysis
- Praise (הַלְלוּ - hallelû): This is an imperative plural verb from the Hebrew root halal, meaning to laud, to commend, to glory, to boast, to celebrate. It is the direct source of the English "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah/the Lord). It signifies an enthusiastic, active, and outward expression of adoration, not a passive contemplation. The repetition of this command (three times in the verse) emphasizes its urgency, importance, and comprehensive nature.
- the LORD (יָהּ - Yah / יְהוָה - Yahweh): In the Hebrew, the first and third occurrences of "the Lord" are the shortened form Yah, while the second occurrence ("the name of the Lord") uses the full tetragrammaton Yahweh. Yah is an abbreviation of Yahweh, the unique, personal, covenant name of God revealed to Israel. This name signifies His self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" - Exod 3:14), His faithfulness, and His covenant relationship with His people. The consistent use of this divine name underscores that the praise is directed to the one true God, distinct from any false deities.
- name (שֵׁם - shēm): In biblical thought, a "name" is not merely a label but represents the entire character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person. To praise God's name means to praise all that He is—His attributes, power, holiness, righteousness, and eternal being. It encompasses His revealed character and actions in history.
- Him (הוּא - hûʾ): This pronoun reinforces the direct object of praise. The praise is intensely personal, directed toward the living and active God Himself, rather than merely an abstract concept.
- O servants (עַבְדֵי - ʿabdê): The plural form of ʿeved, meaning "slave" or "servant." This term identifies the specific recipients and primary responsibilities for this praise. In its broader sense, "servants of the Lord" refers to the whole nation of Israel, called to serve God as His chosen people (Isa 41:8-9). In a narrower sense, it could refer to the Levites and priests who had specific duties in temple worship. Fundamentally, it describes those who have yielded their will to God, are devoted to His service, and whose identity is intrinsically linked to Him.
Words-Group Analysis
- Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him: This threefold repetition of the imperative "Praise" creates a powerful, escalating command.
- "Praise the LORD" (Yah): General call to worship the true God.
- "Praise the name of the Lord" (Yahweh): Narrows and deepens the focus, emphasizing praise for God's revealed character and attributes. This is significant in a context where other gods existed by name only, without character or power.
- "Praise Him": Completes the circle, reaffirming the personal object of adoration, summarizing the first two commands in a comprehensive manner. This structured repetition serves to instill the call to worship firmly in the listeners' minds and hearts, highlighting both the Giver (the Lord) and His essence (His Name) as the supreme object of devotion.
- O servants of the Lord: This phrase identifies the specific community entrusted with this worship. It speaks of a privileged responsibility and a distinct identity. It is a reminder that those who have been redeemed by God and have entered into covenant with Him have a unique duty and privilege to honor Him. This designation implies loyalty, obedience, and devoted service. Their entire being is oriented towards glorifying the One they serve.
Psalm 135 1 Bonus section
- The Hebrew word for "Praise" (hallel) is the root of the exclamation "Hallelujah!" (Praise Yah!), underscoring its vibrancy and spiritual significance. The entire Psalm 135 (along with other "Hallel" psalms) likely had a rich liturgical function in ancient Israelite worship, possibly sung during pilgrimages or major festivals.
- The threefold call to praise emphasizes comprehensive devotion – a worship that involves all aspects of a believer's life.
- The shift from "Yah" to "Yahweh" for "the name of the Lord" suggests an intentional move from the short, immediate invocation to the more expansive, profound declaration of God's covenant and unique being.
- The designation "servants of the Lord" carries strong biblical connotations of intimacy, chosenness, and responsibility. It evokes figures like Moses ("My servant Moses," Num 12:7), David, and even the nation of Israel as a whole, reminding the audience of their sacred duty and identity.
Psalm 135 1 Commentary
Psalm 135:1 is a direct and resounding opening to a psalm of high praise. The repetition of "Praise the Lord" is not mere redundancy but a passionate, intensifying command, urging God's people to vocally and joyfully glorify Him. The inclusion of "Praise the name of the Lord" is profound, signifying that the praise is not superficial but rooted in God's essential character, as revealed in His divine name, Yahweh. This stands in stark contrast to the hollow worship of idols, a polemic theme further developed in the psalm. The summons specifically to "O servants of the Lord" emphasizes that praise is the natural, obligated response of those who belong to Him by covenant and redemption. It suggests an inward commitment expressing itself outwardly in adoration. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, inviting the audience to join in an act of worship based on the comprehensive and distinct character of their sovereign God. Practically, this verse calls believers to remember their identity as God's own, prompting them to make praise a central and consistent part of their lives, glorifying God not just for what He does, but for who He intrinsically is.