Psalm 135 (134):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once more, the prophet invites his audience to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, an act of devotion to the Lord. In a different passage, he declares, "I will praise the name of my God with song, I will magnify Him with praise. And it shall be more acceptable to God than a young bullock, with growing horns and hoofs" (Psalms 68:31, 32).

It should bring us great joy, for this Psalm encourages us to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. It declares, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). The call to worship emphasizes why it is fitting to honor the Lord's name. Servants of the Lord, what can possibly be more deserving of our praise? If our Lord instructs His faithful servants, the proclaimers of His Word, the leaders of His Church, and those who worship Him, He imparts to them the sweetness of a life well-lived, preserving them from the pitfalls of vanity and the discouragement of human scorn. How much greater is He, the Immutable One, who grants this understanding, not diminished by empty praise or human reproach? As His servants, it is entirely appropriate to extol Him. Even if we were simply His servants forever, our duty would still be to offer Him praise. How much more then should we, His servants, exalt Him, especially knowing that we shall also receive the privileges deemed for His children.

Thus, you who stand in the Lord's house and the courts of our God, give praise to Him (Psalm 133:2). Gratitude should fill your hearts, for once you were outside, but now you stand within. Consider how significant it is that He has raised you from your lowly state and positioned you in His house, where you can come to know and worship Him. Is not the fact that we are welcomed to stand in the Lord's sanctuary a precious gift? Whoever contemplates this and remains ungrateful overlooks the immense love of the Lord has shown them. When one cannot repay divine grace, the only recourse left is to offer thanks. Thanksgiving embodies the act of taking the Lord's cup and calling upon His name. What can a servant offer in return for all that the Lord has graciously provided?

What further justification need there be for praising Him? Because "the Lord is good" (Psalm 134:3). In a succinct manner, we find the essence of our adoration for the Lord. He is indeed good, but His goodness surpasses even the goodness of creation, for as Genesis 1:31 states, all that God created was deemed "very good." If all of creation is good, one must then ponder the goodness of its Creator.

How far can we delve into the nature of His goodness? Who can truly fathom or form a suitable conception of the Lord's goodness? Instead, let us reflect upon our own existence and recognize Him through our lives. We may honor the Creator by acknowledging His works, as we are not worthy to gaze directly upon Him. With the hope that one day we shall behold Him as our hearts are sanctified by faith and that we may then rejoice in the Truth, let us, in our present inability to see Him, observe His creations so that we do not live without praising Him. Thus, I proclaim, "Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praise to His Name, for He is sweet." He is our Mediator, and therefore sweet indeed. What could be sweeter than the food of angels? If man has partaken of angelic nourishment, how could God not be considered sweet? Human and angelic beings share a common sustenance, and this reflects the truth, wisdom, and goodness of God, though we cannot savor it in the same manner as the angels. For humanity to partake in the sustenance of angels, the Creator of angels assumed human form. Thus, taste and rejoice; if you have experienced the sweetness of the Lord, let your praise be vocal. Who fails to express gratitude to a chef or provider for delightful food? If we do not remain silent in such instances, how could we possibly be silent regarding Him who supplies us with everything?

For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel as His own possession (Psalm 134:4). Jacob need not boast of his own accomplishments, for he was known, predestined, and chosen not for his merits, but for the grace of God which awakened him to life. The same applies to the Gentiles as well; what merit did the wild olive tree possess to be grafted in, given its bitter fruit and barren nature? Though it thrived in the wild, through divine mercy, it has been incorporated into the true olive tree.

"I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If we were to ask the seer of the Lord's greatness for an explanation, he might say that the Lord’s magnificence is beyond description. So, let him consider God's creation and recount the manifestations of His greatness he has witnessed. He should retain within himself that grandeur which eludes our sight but can be acknowledged through the miraculous works the Lord has performed, which we can grasp.

The Lord has performed all that He willed in heaven and on earth, in the sea and the depths below (Psalm 133:6). Who can fully understand these deeds? Who can catalogue what the Lord has accomplished in every realm? Although we cannot grasp every detail, we must adhere to these truths and accept them with conviction, for all that exists was created by the Lord, whether in heaven, on earth, or beneath the sea.

The clouds were raised from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7). We witness God's creative actions in the natural world; the clouds appear as if sent forth from the edges of the earth to water it. The prophet refers to this: the clouds—whether from below or from the very ends of creation—are raised by His command. He transforms lightning into rain, for mere flashes of lightning intimidate but yield nothing without His touch. From lightening comes rain, sparking joy as the gloom retreats. He who alarms us also brings us delight; He who summons winds from His storehouses keeps their origin shrouded in mystery. When the wind blows, we feel its effects, though the source of its strength remains unknown (John 3:8). Nevertheless, we owe to God our reverent faith, for if He hadn’t commanded it, the wind would not blow.

Thus, we behold the works He has wrought; let us praise, wonder, and glorify Him. Observe the actions revealed among men for His people: "Who smote the firstborn of Egypt?" (Psalm 133:8). Here, we recount divine interventions that inspire love, rather than fear. The narrative recalls how, in His wrath, He accomplished His purpose against man and beast alike. He displayed signs and wonders in Egypt to vanquish the haughty Egyptians, including Pharaoh and his servants. What He achieved then is dwarfed by what followed after He liberated His people.

Who struck down many nations, possessing the land God promised to His people (Psalm 134:10)? He defeated powerful kings such as Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, along with throughout the entirety of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). The Psalm’s account aligns with what is recorded throughout the Scriptures, revealing the mighty hand of the Lord. When you witness the destiny of the wicked, take heed, lest you too fall victim to their fate. And when a righteous person observes the judgment of the unrighteous, let them cleanse themselves from iniquity, thereby avoiding the same consequence. You comprehend the significance of these events. What did God do? He expelled the wicked and bestowed their inheritance upon Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).

Then arises a loud chorus in honor of His name, "Thy Name, O Lord, is forever and ever" (Psalm 134:13). After all He has done, I see Your creation across the heavens and our earthly dwelling; I observe Your gifts manifested in clouds, winds, and rains. I give honor to Your people whom You liberated from bondage, performing signs and wonders against their foes. You executed judgment upon those who tormented them, expelled the wicked, executed their kings, granting their land to Your faithful. I look upon these deeds with profound joy; thus, I declare, "Lord, Your Name is forever."

All these events God executed through the physical realm when our forebears exited Egypt, and they continue spiritually today. His work does not cease; therefore, consider not that these remarkable deeds were completed in the past. "Thy name, O Lord, is forever," indicating that His mercy endures and His hand continues its work. These accounts serve as admonitions for us, as the end of the ages has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:11). One generation yields to another, a generation reborn through baptism, raised from the dead to dwell with angels eternally. "Thy remembrance, O Lord, is beyond this generation and the next," for He continues to call us and will not forget to crown us in due time.

The Lord has judged His people and will be remembered among His servants (Psalm 133:14). He has already passed judgment upon His people; aside from the final judgment, the Jewish nation too will face evaluation. What is under judgment? The righteous are gathered while the unrighteous are left behind. If I were mistaken, consider His own words: "I have come into judgment into this world that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind" (John 9:39). The arrogant are rendered blind, while the meek are illuminated. Hence, He pronounced His judgment against His people, with the prophet Isaiah declaring, "And now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This may seem a small matter; yet, what comes next? For He has rejected His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob is identified as the house of Israel; for Jacob is also called Israel. Thus, God judges His people by separating the good from the evil, meaning He will be revered amongst His servants—by whom? The Gentiles. A multitude from distant lands will join through faith, arriving in numbers from deserted places, as we have witnessed, though no one can fully comprehend their arrival. When we question them, they respond: "To know the glory of God." It astonishes and delights us to hear the words of these humble villagers. They come from roads unknown, stirred by unseen influences. I may not know how, yet I know through whom. He asserts, "No one comes to Me except those the Father draws" (John 6:44). They suddenly emerge from the woods, the wilderness, the most remote and towering lands to embrace the Church; how many indeed speak our language, revealing the truth God instills within them. The prophecy is fulfilled that states, "And all shall be taught of God" (Isaiah 54:13). We inquire: "What do you seek?" They reply: "To behold the glory of God" (John 6:45). For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). They believe, they become sanctified, desiring a clergy appointed for them. Has this not been fulfilled? Will He not be honored among His servants?

Ultimately, after all this ordering and distribution, the Spirit of God shifts focus to mock the idols that their worshippers themselves now ridicule. "The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold" (Psalm 134:15). Since the Lord, who created everything in heaven and on earth, crafted all that He desired, what merit can there be in the creations of mankind that warrants reverence? Did He speak eulogistically of the idols merely to spark our disdain? Is it merely about the apparent pagan idols made of stone, wood, plaster, or clay? No, I speak of what they particularly cherish and honor—the idols of the Gentiles forged from silver and gold, crafted by human hands. Is it not silver, or even gold, that gleams beautifully? Do they have eyes but remain blind...? In the end, why fashion gods from silver and gold when they do not see? They have mouths but utter not a word, eyes yet perceive nothing (Psalm 134:16); they possess ears but cannot hear; they breathe not a whisper (Psalm 134:17); they possess nostrils but cannot smell; their hands remain motionless; their feet cannot walk. Although the smith can produce these features, he cannot bestow sight, hearing, speech, or breath.

Alleluia, exalt the name of the Lord, exalt His servants. This psalm is directed solely at those who remain under His guidance, urging them to "Praise the Lord," for the term "hallelujah" translates to "praise," with "iah" representing the Lord.

Alleluia. A song of ascents. This is yet another hymn of adoration, presented to the Lord by those who have experienced salvation. The expression "halleluia" has been previously explained. Exalt the name of the Lord, celebrate the servants of the Lord. Because God's essence is unseen, and it is instructed that we should sing, the Prophet wisely proclaims, Exalt the name of the Lord. Be satisfied, he advises, with the name of God, and refrain from seeking what is beyond your vision.

According to Eusebius, the term Alleluia translates to “Praise the Lord.” He explains that Alleluia signifies praise, while ‘ia’ refers to the Lord. This particular psalm serves as a hymn and an act of worship directed towards God. It encapsulates the foundational teachings that are essential for Gentiles who approach God’s Word. It addresses those to whom the current exhortation is given—servants who have yet to receive the Spirit of adoption and have not entered the innermost part of the house; they remain outside until they are transformed into sons through the Spirit. “Praise the name of the Lord; praise, you servants of the Lord,” as the servants declare, alongside all of His creation, praising God as faithful and belonging to Him. This name sanctifies and blesses those who honor it.

Alleluia. These two Psalms share a common essence, as the Prophet encourages the faithful, just as in the previous Psalm, to exalt God, which is evident from the title. They are aptly included among the gradual Psalms, addressing those who have returned from exile to their homeland and, with God’s assistance, have either reached or made significant progress toward spiritual perfection.

This composite psalm, which can be compared with other verses (e.g., v. 7 alongside Jeremiah 10:13, 51:16; v. 14 in relation to Deuteronomy 32:36; and vv. 15-20 connecting with Psalms 113 and following), is set during the period following Tribulation. If verse 14 is interpreted as relating to the contemporary oppression faced by the Israelites, it may refer to the Samaritan assaults on Israel. The text calls upon the Israelites, identified as the servants of the Lord (v. 1), the priests and Levites positioned in the temple (cf. vv. 19 and 20), and the people gathered in the courts to extol God. He is good and compassionate (v. 3), evidenced by His choice of Israel (v. 4). He reigns supreme over all deities (v. 3 and v. 4).

In this psalm, the prophet calls all humanity to offer solemn worship to God, reflecting on His immense kindness toward the people of Israel. They, chosen by Him, have been brought from the shadows of idolatry into the radiant truth, as He has illuminated the hearts of the faithful to reveal the splendor of His divine glory through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). This is the essence of halleluia. In Hebrew, halleluia means to praise, with Jah representing the Lord's name. Acknowledging the invisible essence of God, the prophet urges believers to honor God's name. The true disciples of Christ the Lord are those who have faith in Him with sincerity, bear His name, and follow His commandments.