Psalm 135 (134):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He does not refer to the general blessings shared with others but speaks of unique blessings bestowed upon them. What is this blessing? It is that He selected this people, sanctified them, and granted them distinct favor above others. The prophets frequently highlight this, composing much of their discourse based on the blessings they have received. What does it signify, ‘into His possession’? It denotes a state of abundance and belonging. Although this people were few in number, God regarded them as His treasure, not focusing on their insignificance but on the virtues He aimed to cultivate in them. For all other nations did not hold the same value to Him as this group, a truth affirmed by God’s grace toward them and their upbringing.

It should bring us great joy, as this Psalm encourages us to do. It states, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). This is coupled with the rationale behind praising the name of the Lord: "Praise the Lord, you His servants." What is indeed worthy of praise? What could be more deserving? For if He instructs His devoted servants—those who preach His Word, lead His Church, worship His name, and obey His commands—to find joy in their lives and avoid being swayed by human praise or the reproach of others, how much more does this apply to Him, the Eternal One, who imparts such wisdom and strength? As His servants, you will not err in your praise of the Lord. Even if you were just servants eternally, you should still offer praise; how much greater is your privilege as servants called to be His sons?

Therefore, you who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God, praise the Lord (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful; you were once outside but now stand within. Now that you are standing, isn’t it reasonable to consider the One who lifted you from despair and placed you in His house that you might know and praise Him? Is it of little importance that we occupy the Lord's house? If anyone contemplates this without gratitude, they will fail to recognize their need for the love of their Lord who has performed such mighty acts for them. Having nothing to offer in return for His great kindness, what remains for them but to express their thanks? The very act of gratitude involves lifting the cup of salvation and calling upon His name. Indeed, how can a servant repay the Lord for all His gifts?

Why should you praise Him? Because "the Lord is good" (Psalm 134:3). In a single phrase, we see our God’s worthiness to be praised. The Lord is indeed good; yet His goodness transcends all that He has created. For God saw all that He had made, and "it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). He crafted heaven and earth and all within them, and He called them very good. If everything He made is good, how much greater is He who brought it into being?

What more can we say about His goodness? Who can grasp or articulate the depth of the Lord's goodness? Yet, let us turn inward and recognize Him, acknowledging the Creator through His creation, as we are not worthy to behold Him directly. We look forward to seeing Him when faith purifies our hearts, allowing us to rejoice in the Truth. For now, as He remains unseen, we must focus on His works so that we are never without praise for Him. Thus, I proclaim, "Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praises to His name, for it is delightful." He is our Mediator, and thus He is sweet. What could be sweeter than the sustenance of angels? If humans have partaken of angelic food, how can God be anything less than sweet? For men and angels partake of the same nourishment. This is truth, wisdom, and the essence of God's goodness; yet you cannot savor it as the angels do.

To enable mankind to consume the nourishment of angels, the Creator of angels assumed human form. If you experience and recognize His sweetness, sing out in praise; if what you taste delights you, express your gratitude. Who would be so ungrateful as to neglect to praise the cook or the provider of a meal that has brought pleasure? How could we remain silent about the One who has given us all good things?

The Lord has chosen Jacob, and made Israel His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). Therefore, Jacob should not elevate himself, boast, or claim this privilege based on merit. He was known ahead of time, chosen not for his own deserving but graced by God’s generosity. The same is true for the Gentiles; what claim did the wild olive tree have to be grafted in, when its fruits are bitter and it is barren? It was a wilderness shrub, not cultivated land, yet by His mercy, He grafted the wild olive into the true olive tree, after having kept it separate until the appointed time.

"I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If we were to ask someone to explain His greatness, they might say they would not be able to describe it adequately. Rather, they will recall His works and testify to His greatness which is known by faith, acknowledging what we cannot see and outlining the marvelous deeds of the Lord that we can perceive.

All that the Lord desired, He created in the heavens and on the earth, and in the seas and their depths (Psalm 134:6). Who can understand all these things? Who can enumerate the works of the Lord across heaven and earth? While we may not grasp them entirely, we must hold fast to our belief, knowing that all creation—whether in heaven, on earth, or in the sea—was brought into being by the Lord.

The clouds He raises from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7) are a testament to His creative power. Clouds ascend from everywhere, bringing rain without our understanding of their origin. The prophet indicates that from any point on earth, He calls forth clouds as He desires. He transforms lightning into rainfall; without rain, lightning only brings fear. The One who previously terrified us, delights us with blessings. He summons the winds from His storehouses; their sources remain concealed from us. Yet we owe God our reverent trust, for the winds would not blow if He had not commanded them into existence.

So let us recognize His deeds; let us marvel and bless God as we reflect on what He has done for His people. "Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt?" (Psalm 134:8). Here are the wondrous acts of God we may admire without dread. Even in His wrath, He accomplishes His will for both humankind and creatures alike. "He sent signs and wonders upon you, Egypt!" (Psalm 134:9). You know the stories of what the Lord’s hand performed through Moses to subdue and defeat the proud Egyptians. Yet consider how much more He did after delivering His people: He struck down many nations (Psalm 134:10) and granted them the land which He intended for His people. He vanquished the kings of powerful nations, including Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, taking all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). We also read these accounts in other sacred texts, where we see the might of the Lord’s hand. When witnessing the fate of the wicked, let us take care that we do not suffer the same end ourselves.

As a righteous person observes the punishment of the wicked, let them cleanse themselves from wrongdoing to avoid sharing in their fate. With this understanding of God's actions, it is clear that He expelled the wicked, granting Israel—His servant—their inheritance (Psalm 134:12).

Next comes a resounding call to praise. "Your name, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 134:13) for all that You have accomplished. All creation in heaven and this world bears witness to the gifts You have given, including clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people, whom You rescued from bondage, performing signs and wonders against their foes. You have punished those who oppressed them, eradicated the wicked from their land, defeated their kings, and promised Your people their inheritance. Upon witnessing all these deeds, I rejoiced, proclaiming, "Your name, O Lord, is forever."

All these acts of God occurred physically during the time of our forefathers' liberation from Egypt and now spiritually. His work continues even to this day, and we must not think that His great deeds concluded long ago. "Your name, O Lord, is forever" indicates that His mercy endures, and His hand remains active in fulfilling His prior promises. These accounts serve to educate us as we stand at the culmination of the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11). Each generation passes, fostering faith and rebirth through baptism, raising us from death to coexist eternally with the angels. Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends all generations; He will not forget to call upon us nor to reward us in the fullness of time.

The Lord has judged His people and will be called among His servants (Psalm 134:14). This judgment has already been rendered, aside from the final judgment that will come upon the people of Israel. What is being judged is the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. If I have misspoken in stating it has already happened, hear the words of the Lord: "I came into this world for judgment, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). The proud are blinded, while the humble receive enlightenment. Thus, He has pronounced judgment on His people, as noted by Isaiah. "Now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This is a significant matter, followed by the reality that He has rejected His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob represents the house of Israel; for he who is Jacob is also known as Israel.

Consequently, God judged His people, separating the righteous from the wicked; this is how He will be recognized among His servants, particularly by the Gentiles. For how numerous are those from various nations who come through faith! How many emerge from fields and desolate places? They come, and we cannot count them; their desire is to behold the glory of God. Believe me, dear friends, we are astounded by the earnestness of these village souls. They arrive from unknown regions, drawn by an unknown force. Yet we know it is through Him, for He declared, "No one comes to Me unless the Father draws them" (John 6:44). They appear unexpectedly from forests, wilderness, and distant mountains to join the Church; many, indeed nearly all, are speaking His truth with us. The prophecies of Scripture are realized, declaring that "all shall be taught by God" (Isaiah 54:13). We inquire, "What do you seek?" and they respond, "To witness 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 are sanctified, and they desire a clergy appointed among them. Has it not come to pass that He will be recognized among His servants?

Following the establishment of God’s order, the Spirit of God turns to ridicule the idols before which their worshippers laugh, reflecting the absurdity of the idols of the Gentiles, which are made of silver and gold (Psalm 134:15). Since God created all that exists, what significance do the creations of men hold but to become a source of mockery? Is He speaking of the idols made of stone and wood, or merely the worthless materials? These are indeed foolish things. The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, crafted by human hands. Do they truly have eyes that see, or ears that hear? The truth is, they have no sight or sound.

Since these figures are empty, why would you forge gods from silver and gold? Are you not aware that the idols you fabricate are blind? They have mouths yet do not speak; they possess eyes that are blind; they have ears but do not hear; there is no breath in their mouths (Psalm 134:16–17). They have nostrils and cannot smell; their hands do not work, nor do their feet walk. All these things can be fashioned by woodworkers and goldsmiths, yet they cannot fill these figures with sight, hearing, speech, or movement.

Dear humanity, you ought to find humor in your creations, if only you recognize your Maker. And those who do not know what is expressed? "All who make them and everyone who hopes in them are like them" (Psalm 134:18). Indeed, it is believed that there is an internal resemblance to these idols, reflected not in their external appearance but in their souls. They have ears, yet they do not hear. God indeed calls out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15). They possess eyes, yet they do not see; they observe with physical sight, devoid of spiritual insight. This prophecy has indeed fulfilled among all nations. Is this not apparent? Yet those throughout remain sightless, with nostrils that perceive nothing. We, however, embody the fragrant aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15), as the apostle asserts. What is the good in having nostrils if one cannot smell the exquisite fragrance of Christ? Truly, this holds firm among them, as it is also stated, "All who make them..."

The Psalmist initially declares, “Confess to the God of gods,” followed by, “To the Lord of lords.” By mentioning these two entities, he then asserts, “To Him who has performed great wonders through one,” to avoid implying the existence of two deities. It is stated, “One God, of whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus, by whom are all things, and we by Him” (1 Cor. 8:6).

Simmachus offers this translation: Israel, His selected ones, signifies that He has devoted significant attention to them, designating them as His own people. While He shows care for all humanity, His primary concern lies with them. Additionally, the blessed Moses remarked that when the Most High distributed the languages and dispersed the descendants of Adam, He established the limits of these languages in accordance with the number of God’s angels. The Lord’s inheritance is His people, Jacob; indeed, His chosen possession is Israel.

The Lord has selected Jacob for Himself. In this verse, David articulates the motivation for praising the Lord: it stems from His choice of the nation of Judah, which is descended from the patriarch Jacob, setting it apart to worship Him exclusively. This same chosen group is referred to as Israel, deriving from Jacob, signifying that the one once known as Jacob, due to his spiritual greatness, is also recognized as Israel, as indicated by Great Basil's teachings. God declares that He has chosen the Jewish people as His treasured possession, reflecting His inheritance and ownership; thus, He calls them His own people, stating, "you shall be My own people" (Exodus 19:5), thereby indicating their status as a precious object of His care, akin to His own wealth.

The prophet presents three compelling reasons encouraging the people to exalt the Lord. The first reason is that God deserves to be praised above all; the second highlights that praising Him is both good and pleasing for humanity; the third underscores the obligation of mankind to offer praise to God, who has set the nation of Israel apart from all others. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; all that is good is deserving of praise, much like all that is evil deserves condemnation. The goodness of God surpasses all; He alone embodies goodness, and every good thing arises solely from His generosity. This forms the foundational reason for Israel's call to worship. Following this is the exhortation to sing His praises, acknowledging His goodness.

This composite psalm, drawing comparisons to verses such as v. 7 with Jeremiah 10:13 and 51:16, and v. 14 with Deuteronomy 32:36, along with verses 15-20 resonating with Psalms 113 and following, is situated within the post-Tribulation era. If one interprets v. 14 as referring to the contemporary oppression faced by the Israelites, it may trace back to the time when Samaritans attacked Israel. The psalm includes exhortations directed toward the Israelites, identified as the servants of the Lord in v. 1, addressing the priests and Levites who are present in the temple, as well as the congregation gathered in the courts, urging them to extol God's goodness and mercy (v. 3), which is demonstrated through His choice of Israel (v. 4). He surpasses all deities (v. 3 and v.

In this psalm, the prophet summons all people to offer solemn praise to God for His immeasurable blessings bestowed upon the people of Israel. They were led from the shadows of idolatry into the true light, as God illuminated the hearts of the faithful to reveal the brilliance of His divine glory through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). This understanding embodies the essence of hallelujah, which in Hebrew translates to praise, with Jah being the name of the Lord. Given that God's essence is unseen, the prophet encourages the worship of God's name. Christ the Lord is regarded as the Rabbi for all who truly believe in Him, call upon His name, and adhere to His commandments.