Psalm 135 4

Psalm 135:4 kjv

For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Psalm 135:4 nkjv

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.

Psalm 135:4 niv

For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.

Psalm 135:4 esv

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.

Psalm 135:4 nlt

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel for his own special treasure.

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 4 Meaning

Psalm 135:4 declares God's deliberate and sovereign choice of the lineage of Jacob, who was later renamed Israel, to be His special and personal possession. This verse establishes that the unique relationship between God and His people is founded upon divine election, an act of His grace and will, rather than on any human merit or deed. It signifies God's loving and exclusive purpose to set apart a people specifically for Himself, to His glory.

Psalm 135 4 Context

Psalm 135 is a powerful hymn of praise that contrasts the living, acting God of Israel with the powerless idols of the nations. After an opening call to praise the LORD in His sanctuary (vv. 1-3), verse 4 provides the fundamental reason why Israel should praise Him: because God Himself, in His sovereign will, chose Israel for a special, covenant relationship. This election precedes and underpins all of God's mighty acts for Israel that follow in the psalm—from bringing them out of Egypt, conquering nations, and giving them the land of Canaan (vv. 8-12), all of which demonstrate God's unparalleled power over all things. The verse then lays the groundwork for the ensuing polemic against lifeless idols (vv. 15-18) by establishing the uniqueness of the LORD's living connection with His chosen people. Historically, this psalm could have served in temple worship, reminding the Israelites of their unique identity and calling, particularly in times when surrounding cultures challenged their faith with various deities.

Psalm 135 4 Word Analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This particle acts as a causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "indeed." It introduces the foundational reason for the praise called for in the preceding verses. It grounds the call to worship in God's specific redemptive acts toward His chosen people.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God in Hebrew, often rendered as "Yahweh." It emphasizes God's self-revelation, His eternal existence, and His active presence in the lives of His people. It distinguishes Him as the true God, in contrast to any false deities.
• has chosen (בָּחַר, bachar): The verb means "to choose," "to select," or "to elect." It highlights a deliberate, sovereign act of divine will, signifying God's unmerited favor. The choice is initiated by God Himself, not prompted by any inherent worthiness or seeking on the part of humanity. It indicates a decision made by preference, setting apart.
• Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, Ya‘akov): Refers directly to the patriarch Jacob, Abraham's grandson, through whom the Abrahamic covenant promises were continued. However, in this context, it broadly represents his descendants, encompassing the entire nation of Israel. The naming connection links the nation's identity back to its patriarchal roots.
• for himself (לוֹ, lo): A dative pronoun signifying "to him" or "for his own use/benefit." This emphasizes the personal and possessive nature of God's choice. It means that God chose Jacob for His own purposes, for His glory, and to establish a special relationship that would uniquely belong to Him.
• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): The new name given to Jacob after his struggle with God (Gen 32:28), signifying "he struggles with God" or "God strives." Here, "Israel" explicitly refers to the nation, the collective body of God's chosen people. The parallelism with "Jacob" underscores the continuity from the individual patriarch to the nation that bears his transformed name.
• for his own possession (סְגֻלָּה, segullah): This is a profound term meaning a "peculiar treasure," a "highly valued possession," or "a treasured property set apart." It denotes something exclusive, valuable, and cherished by its owner. When applied to Israel, it signifies their unique status as a people chosen and set apart by God Himself, distinguishing them from all other nations and reflecting their special intimate relationship with the Creator.

Words-Group Analysis

• "For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself": This phrase underlines God's initiative and sovereignty in establishing His relationship with humanity. It’s an act of pure grace and divine preference, not based on merit, marking Jacob's lineage as specially set apart for God's purposes.
• "Israel for his own possession": This second parallel clause reinforces and elaborates on the initial declaration. It confirms that the collective nation (Israel) derived from Jacob holds a unique and intimate status as God's personal, highly valued treasure, exclusively claimed and protected by Him. The emphasis is on divine ownership and a unique covenant bond.

Psalm 135 4 Bonus Section

• The use of both "Jacob" and "Israel" is a common biblical parallelism, effectively linking the patriarch's personal covenant lineage to the collective national identity, emphasizing historical continuity and a unified destiny under God.
• The term segullah ("possession") implies not just ownership but a unique status involving special protection and provision. It's often associated with covenant blessings and responsibilities, calling the people to a corresponding obedience and faithfulness.
• This verse counters common ancient Near Eastern beliefs where gods were often patrons of nations, suggesting a reciprocal relationship. Here, God's choice is unilaterally divine, demonstrating His absolute supremacy and independent will.
• The theme of election expressed in this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament with God's choosing of the church in Christ (e.g., Eph 1:4), demonstrating His consistent character of electing a people for Himself through grace.

Psalm 135 4 Commentary

Psalm 135:4 serves as the theological bedrock for understanding God's relationship with Israel. It presents the fundamental truth that Israel's favored status is not due to any inherent greatness or performance, but purely to the sovereign, unmerited grace of God. By declaring that the "LORD has chosen Jacob for himself" and "Israel for his own possession," the verse profoundly highlights God's initiative, purpose, and exclusive claim over His people. The election is personal ("for himself"), signifying His loving desire for an intimate bond, and possessive ("for his own possession"), revealing their invaluable status in His eyes. This foundational act of election explains why God performs the mighty acts of redemption and preservation described later in the psalm. Israel's identity as God's treasured possession obligated them to praise Him, demonstrating His incomparable power over the world's false gods. The principle here, applicable beyond ancient Israel, teaches that salvation and spiritual privilege are always rooted in divine grace and choice.