Psalm 135:2 kjv
Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
Psalm 135:2 nkjv
You who stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God,
Psalm 135:2 niv
you who minister in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
Psalm 135:2 esv
who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God!
Psalm 135:2 nlt
you who serve in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
Psalm 135 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 134:1 | Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! | Direct call to temple servants to bless God. |
| 1 Chr 23:30 | And to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord... | Levites' daily standing duty to praise. |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi...to stand before the Lord to minister... | Levitical charge to stand in service. |
| Neh 9:5 | ...Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting... | Call to congregation to stand and bless God. |
| Ps 92:13 | They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. | Prosperity for those established in God's presence. |
| Ps 100:4 | Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise... | Instruction for approaching God's sanctuary. |
| Ps 27:4 | One thing I ask from the Lord...that I may dwell in the house of the Lord... | Desire for continuous presence and worship. |
| Isa 56:7 | ...I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer... | God's house as a place of prayer and joy. |
| Jer 26:2 | "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah...'". | Prophetic instruction to stand and speak God's word in temple. |
| Lk 1:10 | ...all the assembled people were praying outside at the time of the incense offering. | People worshipping in the temple courts. |
| Acts 3:8 | And leaping up he stood and began to walk and entered the temple with them...praising God. | Example of active worship within the temple. |
| Mt 21:12-13 | Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there... | Jesus' purification of the temple as sacred space. |
| Ex 25:8 | Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. | God's desire for a dwelling place with His people. |
| 1 Kgs 8:27 | But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You... | God's transcendence despite dwelling in temple. |
| Isa 2:2-3 | ...the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest...all nations shall stream to it. | Future global pilgrimage to God's glorious house. |
| Hag 2:7 | ...and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. | Divine promise of future glory in the temple. |
| Zech 6:12-13 | ...He shall build the temple of the Lord...and He shall sit and rule on His throne. | Messianic role in building and ruling God's temple. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. | NT spiritual understanding of the Church as God's house. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as integral parts of God's spiritual temple. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... | New Testament believers' direct access to God's presence. |
| Rev 7:15 | Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple... | Continuous heavenly service in God's presence. |
| Ps 5:7 | But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house... | Access to God's house by His mercy. |
| Ps 115:3-8 | Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases...Their idols are silver and gold... | Contrast between the true God and powerless idols. |
| Isa 44:9-20 | All who fashion idols are nothing... | Exposure of the futility of idol worship. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | ...the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. | The church as the New Testament "house of God". |
Psalm 135 verses
Psalm 135 2 Meaning
Psalm 135:2 serves as a direct call to praise addressed specifically to those consecrated individuals who habitually minister and serve within the sanctuary of God. It highlights the unique privilege and responsibility of priests, Levites, and devoted worshippers who regularly "stand" in the temple precincts—the main sanctuary and its surrounding courtyards. This verse emphasizes their dedicated presence in the sacred space where God's name is proclaimed and His worship is conducted, underscoring the sanctity of the place and the perpetual nature of their service and adoration for the Living God.
Psalm 135 2 Context
Psalm 135 belongs to a collection of Hallel Psalms (Praise Psalms) that often served a liturgical function, likely sung by temple worshippers during festivals or regular services. It functions as an extended call to praise YHWH, highlighting His greatness and unique power compared to all other gods and idols. Verse 2 specifically targets the audience of temple attendants and faithful worshippers, those literally present within the sanctuary's precincts. Historically, this refers to the priests and Levites who daily ministered in the Temple in Jerusalem, but also includes the devout Israelites who frequented the "courts" for prayer and offerings. The Psalm begins by inviting servants of the Lord to praise Him (v.1), and verse 2 clarifies which servants are particularly addressed: those who stand perpetually within His consecrated dwelling. This sets the stage for the rest of the Psalm, which enumerates reasons for praising God—His chosen people, mighty works, unique attributes, and contrast with powerless idols.
Psalm 135 2 Word analysis
- You who stand (הָעֹמְדִים, ha'om'dim): This Hebrew participle indicates a continuous or habitual action rather than a momentary one. It refers to those who are continually present and engaged in service or reverence. In a literal sense, it points to the Levites and priests whose duty it was to "stand before the Lord to minister" (Deut 10:8). It also embraces the wider assembly of devout worshippers whose presence in the sacred space signifies their commitment and availability to God. The posture of standing denotes respect, readiness, and active participation in worship and ministry.
- in the house of the Lord (בְּבֵית יְהוָה, b'veit YHWH): "House" (Beit) refers to the Jerusalem Temple, the central sanctuary where God's presence (Shekinah) was uniquely manifested in ancient Israel. "The Lord" (YHWH) is the sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and covenantal relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from all other deities. This phrase signifies the holiest and most direct sphere of interaction with God on earth.
- in the courts (בְּחַצְרוֹת, b'chats'rot): These are the outer areas or precincts surrounding the main temple building, accessible to various groups of worshippers. The plural "courts" implies the multiple graded areas (e.g., Court of the Priests, Court of Israel, Court of Women), each with its specific functions and permissible entrants. Access to these courts was a privilege for Israelites, symbolizing their right to approach God in worship, albeit at different levels of proximity. It implies communal gathering and worship.
- of the house of our God! (בֵּית אֱלֹהֵינוּ, beit Eloheinu): This is a strong parallel phrase reinforcing the previous "house of the Lord." The use of "our God" (Eloheinu) underscores the intimate, possessive, and covenantal relationship between YHWH and His people. It distinguishes Him as the true God of Israel, further strengthening the implicit polemic against pagan deities by emphasizing a personal, living God who truly dwells among His people, unlike idols. The repetition of "house" adds poetic emphasis and theological weight to the sanctuary's significance.
Psalm 135 2 Bonus section
The concentric circles implied by "house" and "courts" in Psalm 135:2 echo the layout of the tabernacle and later the Temple, signifying varying degrees of holiness and accessibility. The call is therefore layered, inviting all within these sacred boundaries to join in praise, recognizing their proximity to God's presence. This Psalm, being part of the Egyptian Hallel or Great Hallel, was likely sung during significant feasts like Passover, further emphasizing a corporate, celebratory aspect of temple worship, reminding the Israelites of God's redemptive history and His continuing faithfulness as they gathered in His holy place. The call to those who "stand" suggests enduring faithfulness and active participation in the divine covenant, differentiating casual observers from dedicated adherents.
Psalm 135 2 Commentary
Psalm 135:2 deepens the initial call to praise, directing it specifically to those within the inner circle of the sanctuary. It is an internal address, highlighting the privileged position and profound responsibility of those who dwell or minister within God's sacred precincts. "Standing" implies more than just being physically present; it denotes a posture of dedicated service, readiness, and reverence before the Divine. This verse calls on temple personnel—the priests and Levites who meticulously carried out the sacred rites—as well as the habitually devout worshippers to engage in constant adoration. It portrays God's temple, with its courts, not merely as a physical structure, but as a living space where true fellowship and perpetual praise occur. This active service in God's designated dwelling place serves as a powerful contrast to the lifeless temples of idols, subtly underlining the sovereignty and unique nature of YHWH. The call applies to believers today as well, as the church, as the body of Christ and living temple (1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:21), calls its members, especially leaders and devoted worshippers, to a perpetual "standing" of worship and service within its spiritual "courts." This encourages intentional and dedicated presence in communal worship, seeing it as a privilege and a duty to honor "our God."