Psalms 135:21

Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,.... This, according to Aben Ezra, was the formula of blessing to be used by the houses of Israel, Aaron, and Levi, and all that feared God; or a direction to them in

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

Blessed be the Lord out of Zion; by the assemblies of his people in Zion or Jerusalem. Which dwelleth at Jerusalem: this clause may be added either to distinguish the true God from the gods which were worshipped in other places and countries; or as a reason why they should bless God, because he had blessed and honoured that place with his gracious and glorious presence.

Psalms 135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.Ver. 21. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion] Therehence he blesseth, Psalms 134:3, and there he is to be blessed. Which dwelleth at Jerusalem] That was the seat of his royal residence, per inhabitationis gratiam, saith Austin, by the presence of his grace; who, by his essence and power, is everywhere. Enter, prmsenter, Deus hic et ubique potenter.

(21) Out of Zion.—As in Psalms 128:5, Jehovah blesses the covenant people out of Zion, so here they bless him out of Zion—that is the place where the reciprocal relation is best and chiefly realised. This localisation is made more emphatic by the addition of the name Jerusalem to Zion. (Comp. Psalms 76:2; Psalms 125:1-2.)

Verse 21. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion] Who has once more restored our temple and city, and now condescends to dwell with us in Jerusalem. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH PSALM In this Psalm the prophet invites the servants of God, and especially his ministers, to praise God, Psalms 135:1-2, from arguments drawn, I. From his goodness, particularly in choosing Israel, Psalms 135:3-4. II. From the greatness and power showed in his works, Psalms 135:5-8. III. From his justice showed to the enemies of Israel, Psalms 135:1-13. IV. From his loving-kindness extended and promised still to his servants, Psalms 135:13-14. V. Having derided the vanity of idols, Psalms 135:15-19, he returns to his exhortation calling upon them to bless God, Psalms 135:19-21. I. He calls upon the ministers of religion especially to attend the recitation of Divine praises:- 1. "Praise ye the Lord," c. 2. "Ye that stand." And now, repeating his words again, he produces his reason of inducement: - 1. Because the Lord is worthy of praise: "For he is good," &c. Not comparatively, but absolutely good. 2. "Sing praises unto his name," &c. Because it is no painful duty, but pleasant. 3. Praise him for his love to Israel for this you owe him gratitude: "For the Lord hath chosen Jacob," c. 2. "And Israel for his peculiar treasure." II. The next argument he uses is drawn from his greatness. 1. From his empire and universal dominion in heaven and earth: "Whatsoever the Lord pleased," &c. Nothing is impossible to him: but he does all from his free will, not from any necessity. 2. "He doth all things," &c. In all places heaven, earth, seas, and hell. And these last words the prophet amplifies, - 1. In the earth. Causing the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth, from all parts, which are endued with several qualities. 2. In the air. "He maketh lightning for rain." 3. In the water. "For he bringeth the winds out of his treasuries." Nothing is more obscure than the generation of the winds. III. The fourth argument the prophet uses to persuade men to praise God, is from the vengeance he executes on the enemies of his people. 1. Upon the Egyptians. "Who smote the firstborn of Egypt," &c. 2. "Who sent tokens and wonders," &c. "And he smote great nations," &c. IV. To the commemoration of the justice God exercised upon their enemies, the prophet exhorts them to extol God. 1. "Thy name, O Lord," &c. 2. "And thy memorial," &c. And the reason is drawn from his mercy. 1. "For the Lord will judge his people." Judge their cause, and deliver them. 2. "And he will repent himself," &c. If they repent, and turn to him. The prophet, having proved that God is great in himself, now proves that he is above all gods, which are but vanity. 1. From their composition: "Silver and gold." 2. From their makers: "The work of men's hands." 3. From their impotency: "They have mouths," &c. 4.

21. Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion] This final adoration corresponds to the prayer with which Psalms 134 concludes. From Zion, which is His earthly dwelling-place, Jehovah’s blessing goes forth upon His people: from Zion where they meet to worship, must ring out His people’s answer of adoring praise. Praise ye the Lord] Hallelujah; omitted by the LXX.

21. Same as Psalms 134:3, which see.