Psalm 135 21

Psalm 135:21 kjv

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 135:21 nkjv

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!

Psalm 135:21 niv

Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 135:21 esv

Blessed be the LORD from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!

Psalm 135:21 nlt

The LORD be praised from Zion,
for he lives here in Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 21 Meaning

Psalm 135:21 is a culminating doxology, declaring God's inherent blessedness and calling for universal praise. It proclaims that Yahweh, the covenant God, is eternally blessed, originating from His sacred dwelling place in Zion/Jerusalem. This phrase identifies God not as a distant deity but as actively present and mighty among His people, culminating in the exclamatory command, "Hallelujah!" which compels all to offer Him joyful adoration for His distinctive power and presence.

Psalm 135 21 Context

Psalm 135 is a psalm of communal praise, often associated with liturgical worship in the Temple. It is part of the Great Hallel or Egyptian Hallel collection (Psalms 113-118 and 135-136, according to some traditions), recited at festivals like Passover. The psalm begins with an imperative call to praise God for His goodness and pleasantness (v. 1-3). It then lists God's magnificent deeds, distinguishing Him from all other gods: His choosing of Israel (v. 4), His supremacy in creation and history (v. 5-7), His mighty acts of deliverance in Egypt and victory over kings (v. 8-12), and His enduring name and judgment on His people (v. 13-14). A significant part of the psalm involves a stark polemic against the impotence of idols (v. 15-18), contrasting their inability to speak, see, hear, or breathe with the living, active God of Israel. Verse 21 acts as the triumphant concluding declaration, reaffirming Yahweh's identity and power by specifically linking Him to Zion and Jerusalem. Historically and culturally, Zion (often used synonymously with Jerusalem) was central to Israelite identity as the place where God chose to place His name, where His Temple resided, and from where His blessings and judgments would emanate.

Psalm 135 21 Word analysis

• Blessed (בָּרוּךְ, baruch): This is a participle form derived from the root B-R-K, meaning to kneel or bless. When applied to God, "Blessed be the Lord" is not a bestowal of favor upon God, but an acknowledgment of His inherent praiseworthiness, infinite goodness, and position as the ultimate source of all blessing. It's a declaration of His divine character and excellence.
• be the Lord (יהוה, YHWH): This is God's ineffable, personal covenant name, often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles. It speaks of God's self-existence ("I Am Who I Am" - Ex 3:14), His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His active presence in the history of His people. Its inclusion distinguishes the God of Israel from the gods of the nations mentioned earlier in the psalm (v. 15-18).
• from Zion (צִיּוֹן, Tzion): Originally a Jebusite stronghold, Zion became synonymous with the city of Jerusalem after David captured it and established his capital there. It further specifically designated the Temple Mount. As God's chosen dwelling place (Ps 9:11), Zion became the source of divine blessings and salvation, symbolically representing God's active rule and redemptive plan for His people (Isa 2:3).
• who dwells (יֹוֹשֵׁב, yoshev): A present participle, indicating an ongoing and established residence. It signifies God's settled and intimate presence among His people, not just a visitation but a continuous, faithful habitation. This concept emphasizes His availability and readiness to engage with those who worship Him at His chosen sanctuary.
• in Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yĕrûšālayim): The literal city where Zion is located. This specificity reinforces God's historical and geographical connection with Israel. Jerusalem, "the city of peace," was chosen by God to house His name and the Temple, becoming the central point for worship, covenant renewal, and a prophetic sign of God's reign on earth.
• Hallelujah! (הַלְלוּ יָהּ, Hallĕlû Yāh): An imperative Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the LORD!" It's a universal liturgical exclamation, serving as an emphatic, joyous, and collective call to worship God. It acts as the grand concluding note of the psalm, inviting immediate, heartfelt, and active adoration from all.

Words-group analysis

• Blessed be the Lord from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem: This complete thought proclaims God's supreme blessedness emanating directly from His established presence among His covenant people in His chosen city. It establishes a theological connection between God's inherent glory and His specific immanence, portraying Him as the God who actively engages with His creation from His earthly throne. This reinforces the particularity of God's relationship with Israel and the centrality of His worship.
• from Zion...in Jerusalem: These two phrases together function as parallel identifiers, emphasizing the precise location of God's revealed presence. "From Zion" may suggest the origin of blessing, salvation, and divine pronouncements, while "in Jerusalem" pinpoints the dwelling place itself. Together, they anchor the otherwise boundless God in a tangible, sacred space accessible to His worshipers.
• Blessed be...Hallelujah!: The verse begins with a declarative statement of God's blessed nature and concludes with an imperative command to praise. This rhetorical structure creates a powerful circular doxology: God is blessed, therefore we must praise Him. It encapsulates both theological truth and commanded human response, ensuring the psalm ends on a note of active, vibrant worship.

Psalm 135 21 Bonus section

• Theological Continuity of God's Dwelling: The concept of God "dwelling" in Zion and Jerusalem prefigures His ultimate indwelling among humanity. In the New Testament, this is fulfilled supremely in Jesus Christ ("God with us," Matt 1:23; "dwelling" - σκηνόω, skenoo or "tabernacling" - Jn 1:14), and corporately in the Church as the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:20-22). Ultimately, Revelation 21:3 speaks of a new heaven and new earth where God's dwelling (tabernacle) will be directly with mankind.
• Zion as a Messianic Prophecy: The "out of Zion" theme (Ps 14:7, Isa 2:3) carries significant Messianic weight. Salvation and the law were expected to come forth from Zion, fulfilled in Christ's ministry originating from Israel and His teaching, which transcends the earthly Jerusalem. Romans 11:26 explicitly references the Deliverer coming "from Zion."
• Praise as a Foundational Act: This verse emphasizes that blessing and praising God are fundamental to the life of faith. It's not just a ritual but a recognition of who God is—the Giver of all good things—and an appropriate, commanded response to His active presence and saving work in the world.

Psalm 135 21 Commentary

Psalm 135:21 is a succinct and potent declaration of praise that concludes a psalm celebrating God's unparalleled greatness against the futility of idols. The affirmation "Blessed be the Lord" isn't merely an expression of gratitude but an inherent recognition of Yahweh's majestic character and infinite worthiness of adoration. By situating God's blessedness "from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem," the psalm grounds God's universal sovereignty and power within a specific, sacred, and covenantal context. This is where God has chosen to reveal Himself, meet with His people, and from where His divine influence and salvation emanate. The closing "Hallelujah!" serves as an impassioned, communal, and timeless summons to respond with exuberant praise, marking a climactic end to the meditation on God's historical deeds and eternal attributes. It reinforces the central message that the God who chose Israel and resides among them in Jerusalem is the only God truly worthy of all blessing and praise.