Psalm 135:20 kjv
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Psalm 135:20 nkjv
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
Psalm 135:20 niv
house of Levi, praise the LORD; you who fear him, praise the LORD.
Psalm 135:20 esv
O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
Psalm 135:20 nlt
O Levites, praise the LORD!
All you who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!
Psalm 135 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 22:23 | You who fear the Lord, praise him!... | Direct call to fearers to praise |
| Psa 115:9-11 | O Israel, trust in the Lord... O house of Aaron... You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord... | Parallel grouping of worshippers, including 'fearers' |
| Psa 118:4 | Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever!" | Command to 'fearers' to confess God's love |
| Psa 134:1-2 | Bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord... | Call to servants/worshippers to bless |
| Deut 6:13 | It is the Lord your God you shall fear and him you shall serve... | Defining "fear the Lord" as service/worship |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom... | Fear of the Lord as foundation of wisdom |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Further emphasis on wisdom through fear |
| Eccl 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments... | Summarizing life's duty as fearing God |
| Psa 33:8 | Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! | Universal call for reverence |
| Psa 34:9 | Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing! | Benefits of fearing the Lord |
| Psa 103:11 | For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him... | God's love towards those who fear Him |
| Psa 103:17 | But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him... | God's enduring covenant for the reverent |
| Psa 145:19 | He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. | God's responsiveness to fearers |
| Acts 10:34-35 | ...God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. | NT recognition of "God-fearers" across nations |
| Rev 14:7 | ...Fear God and give him glory, and worship him who made heaven and earth... | Eschatological call to fear and worship |
| Mal 3:16 | Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another; the Lord paid attention and heard them... | Community and communion among those who fear God |
| Isa 50:10 | Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? | Characterizing those who fear the Lord |
| Luke 1:50 | And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. | Mercy extends to those who fear God |
| 1 Pet 2:17 | Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. | A NT exhortation to fear God distinctly |
| Heb 12:28 | ...let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe... | Worship with reverence, mirroring "fear" |
| 2 Chr 19:7 | Now therefore let the fear of the Lord be upon you. | Encouragement to cultivate the fear of the Lord |
| Phil 2:12 | ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... | NT concept of fear as serious respect in spiritual matters |
Psalm 135 verses
Psalm 135 20 Meaning
Psalm 135:20 is a powerful exhortation, specifically calling upon "you who fear the Lord" to "bless the Lord." It expands the invitation to praise God beyond the specified groups of Israel, Aaron, and Levi mentioned in the preceding verse, to include all who hold Yahweh in reverence, awe, and obedient loyalty. This command to "bless the Lord" is an act of profound adoration, grateful acknowledgment of His supremacy, and proclamation of His goodness, distinct from any benefit conferred upon Him.
Psalm 135 20 Context
Psalm 135 is a communal hymn of praise, likely used in Temple worship or for public gatherings, possibly at one of the pilgrim festivals. It serves as a compendium of reasons for Israel to praise Yahweh, emphasizing His sovereignty, unique power, and active role in history. The psalm celebrates God's superiority over all gods and idols (vv. 5, 15-18), recounts His mighty deeds in creation, the Exodus, and the conquest of Canaan (vv. 6-12), and proclaims His eternal nature (v. 13). Verses 19-21 form a concluding benediction or call to worship. Verse 19 explicitly calls the "house of Israel," the "house of Aaron," and the "house of Levi" to bless the Lord. Verse 20 extends this call to "you who fear the Lord," broadening the scope to include not just the nation of Israel and its priestly and levitical classes, but also any individual or group—even proselytes or God-fearing Gentiles—who reveres and obeys the God of Israel. It sets apart true worshipers from idolaters, as detailed in the preceding verses (15-18).
Psalm 135 20 Word analysis
- You who fear: Hebrew: יראי (yir'ei), a plural participle meaning "fearers of" or "those who fear."
- "Fear" (ירא - yare') in this biblical context signifies not primarily terror or fright, but rather a profound awe, reverence, deep respect, and obedient submission towards God. It encompasses a recognition of His majestic power, holiness, and sovereignty. This "fear" is foundational to biblical wisdom (Prov 1:7) and implies a loving obedience and trust that fosters a right relationship with the Almighty. It signifies loyalty to His covenant and a desire to live according to His ways.
- This phrase here identifies a distinct group. In broader biblical understanding, particularly later, "God-fearers" (such as those mentioned in Acts 10:35) included Gentiles who adhered to some aspects of Jewish monotheism and worshipped the God of Israel, without necessarily becoming full proselytes. While the Psalm likely first refers to devout Israelites beyond the explicit houses, its language carries an expansive, inclusive potential that resonates throughout Scripture.
- the Lord: Hebrew: יהוה (YHWH), the sacred personal name of God, often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles (in all caps) to distinguish it from "Lord" (אדון - Adonai).
- The use of YHWH emphasizes God's personal, covenantal relationship with His people. It points to His self-existence, unchanging faithfulness, and active presence in history and salvation. It stresses that the "fear" and "blessing" are directed specifically to the one true, living God, distinguishing Him sharply from the impotent idols described just prior (Psalm 135:15-18).
- bless: Hebrew: ברכו (barku), an imperative plural verb meaning "bless!"
- When humans "bless" God, it is an act of acknowledging, praising, glorifying, and giving thanks for His inherent goodness, power, and majesty. It's a verbal proclamation of His worthiness and perfections, not an act that bestows anything upon Him. It expresses adoration and homage. The plural imperative is a direct command to the identified group.
- the Lord!: יהוה (YHWH), again reinforcing that the praise and adoration are directed specifically and solely to the covenant God of Israel, the Creator and Redeemer.
- "You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!": This complete phrase emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and His people. Those who fear God—meaning those who honor Him with reverence, awe, and obedience—are the ones uniquely called and equipped to offer Him genuine blessing and praise. The statement connects a internal posture of devotion ("fear") with an outward expression of worship ("bless"). It stands as the culmination of the preceding calls to praise in Psalm 135:19-20, expanding the circle of worshipper to a foundational spiritual identity. The structure highlights that the essence of being a true worshipper is rooted in this fundamental fear of the Lord.
Psalm 135 20 Bonus section
This verse serves as a crucial theological bridge, suggesting a worshipping community whose boundaries extend beyond mere lineage to include those defined by a heart posture of genuine reverence and obedience to Yahweh. This concept of "God-fearers" is particularly significant in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 10), laying groundwork for Gentile inclusion into God's family. The imperative to "bless the Lord" reinforces that worship is not an optional add-on but an essential and commanded response for those who acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty and grace. It underscores the active role of humanity in responding to God's self-revelation.
Psalm 135 20 Commentary
Psalm 135:20 acts as a climactic summation of the preceding invitations to praise in verses 19-21, broadening the call to worship God. While verses 19 specifies the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, and the house of Levi, verse 20 encompasses all who hold Yahweh in reverence – "you who fear the Lord." This "fear" is not one of cowering terror but rather profound awe, respectful obedience, and deep love born of acknowledging God’s incomparable majesty and His redemptive acts (as detailed earlier in the Psalm). It implies a genuine submission to His will and a lifestyle characterized by moral uprightness and faithfulness.
The command to "bless the Lord" is the natural outflow of such a posture. It is a call to proclaim His greatness, to adore His character, to express gratitude for His steadfast love and powerful deeds, and to worship Him as the one true God, distinct from the impotent idols (vv. 15-18) upon whom He consistently demonstrates His superiority. This verse underlines that genuine worship is rooted in a heart that deeply honors and acknowledges God’s unique identity and authority. It is a universal invitation that potentially transcends ethnic or ceremonial distinctions, embracing all who are truly devoted to Yahweh.
Practical usage:
- Personal Devotion: A person whose life is guided by God's Word (fearing the Lord) will naturally express heartfelt praise and thanksgiving in prayer (blessing the Lord).
- Community Worship: A church body that prioritizes God's commands and reverence for His name (fearing the Lord) will engage in authentic, fervent corporate worship that brings glory to Him (blessing the Lord).
- Ethical Living: When believers live justly and righteously (demonstrating fear of the Lord), their transformed lives themselves become a form of blessing and praise to God, shining His light to the world.