Psalms 135:20
Psalms 135:20 in Multiple Translations
O house of Levi, bless the LORD; you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
Give praise to the Lord, O sons of Levi: let all the worshippers of the Lord give him praise.
Levites, praise the Lord! Everyone who worships the Lord, praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, ye house of Leui: ye that feare the Lord, praise the Lord.
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah, Those fearing Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
House of Levi, praise the LORD! You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
And Og king of Basan: for his mercy endureth for ever.
You men who are descended from Levi, you who assist the priests, praise Yahweh! All you who revere Yahweh, praise him!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 135:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בֵּ֣ית
הַ֭/לֵּוִי
בָּרֲכ֣וּ
אֶת
יְהוָ֑ה
יִֽרְאֵ֥י
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
בָּרֲכ֥וּ
אֶת
יְהוָֽה
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
הַ֭/לֵּוִי
Lêvîy
H3878
Levi
Art | Ngmsa
בָּרֲכ֣וּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
יִֽרְאֵ֥י
yârêʼ
H3373
afraid
Adj
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
בָּרֲכ֥וּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:20
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הַ֭/לֵּוִי
Lêvîy
H3878
"Levi"
Art | Ngmsa
Levi was a son of Jacob and Leah, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. He was a brother of Reuben, Simeon, and Judah, and the father of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi's name is significant in the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) § Levi = "joined to" the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites
Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: Levi. See also H3879 (לֵוִי), H3881 (לֵוִיִּי). See also: Genesis 29:34; Deuteronomy 27:12; Psalms 135:20.
בָּרֲכ֣וּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
יִֽרְאֵ֥י
yârêʼ
H3373
"afraid"
Adj
This word describes someone who is afraid or fearful, and is also used to convey a sense of reverence or respect. It's often translated as 'afraid' in the KJV. In the Bible, it's used to describe people's reactions to God or scary situations.
Definition: fearing, reverent, afraid
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: afraid, fear (-ful). See also: Genesis 22:12; Psalms 103:17; Psalms 15:4.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
בָּרֲכ֥וּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 135:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD
18Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
19O house of Israel, bless the LORD; O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;
20O house of Levi, bless the LORD; you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21Blessed be the LORD from Zion— He who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!Psalms 135:20 Summary
[This verse is calling the house of Levi, a group of priests, to praise and worship God, and it's also calling all people who fear the LORD to do the same. To fear the LORD means to respect and reverence Him, which leads to a life of obedience and worship, as seen in Psalms 111:10. We can bless the LORD by praising Him and thanking Him for all He's done for us, just like the Psalmist does in Psalms 103:1-5. By doing so, we join with others in corporate worship, giving God the glory He deserves, as described in Psalms 100:4-5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Psalmist specifically address the house of Levi in Psalms 135:20?
The house of Levi was a tribe of priests in the Old Testament, responsible for leading worship and spiritual guidance, as seen in Exodus 32:26 and Deuteronomy 10:8-9, so it's fitting they're called to bless the LORD.
What does it mean to 'fear the LORD' in this context?
To fear the LORD means to have a deep reverence and respect for God, recognizing His power and majesty, as described in Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 1:7, which leads to a life of obedience and worship.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger section calling different groups to bless the LORD, including the house of Israel and the house of Aaron, emphasizing the importance of corporate worship and praise, as seen in Psalms 135:19-21.
What does it mean to 'bless the LORD'?
To bless the LORD means to praise and worship Him, acknowledging His goodness and greatness, as seen in Psalms 100:4-5 and Psalms 103:1-5, which is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can bless the LORD in my daily life, just like the house of Levi?
- How can I cultivate a deeper fear of the LORD, leading to a more obedient and worshipful life?
- What are some things I can praise God for today, just like the Psalmist?
- How can I join with others to bless the LORD, whether in church or in my community?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:20
Bless the Lord, O house of Levi,.... These were of the same tribe with the house of Aaron, but inferior ministers; they ministered to the priests, and had the charge of things in the tabernacle and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:20
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the Lord, O house of Israel ... O house of Aaron ... O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord - (Psalms 115:9-11.) But here
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:20
Psalms 135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.Ver. 20. Ye that fear the Lord] Ye devout Proselytes.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 135:20
(19, 21) From Psalms 115:9-11, with the addition, “O house of Levi.”
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:20
19–21. All Israel is summoned to praise Jehovah.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:20
19, 20. These verses are taken from Psalms 115:9-11, where see notes.