Psalms 135:4
Psalms 135:4 in Multiple Translations
For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his own possession.
For the Lord has taken Jacob for himself, and Israel for his property.
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel as his very own.
For the Lord hath chosen Iaakob to himselfe, and Israel for his chiefe treasure.
For Jacob hath Jah chosen for Himself, Israel for His peculiar treasure.
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob to himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
Who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
He has chosen us, the descendants of Jacob; he has chosen us Israelis to belong to him [DOU].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:4
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 135:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
בָּחַ֣ר
ל֣/וֹ
יָ֑הּ
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
לִ/סְגֻלָּתֽ/וֹ
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
בָּחַ֣ר
bâchar
H977
to choose
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
ל֣/וֹ
Prep | Suff
יָ֑הּ
Yâhh
H3050
LORD
N-proper
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לִ/סְגֻלָּתֽ/וֹ
çᵉgullâh
H5459
possession
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:4
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
בָּחַ֣ר
bâchar
H977
"to choose"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
ל֣/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
יָ֑הּ
Yâhh
H3050
"LORD"
N-proper
Jah is a shortened form of the name LORD, used in many compounds, such as names ending in -iah or -jah. It appears in the Bible as a way to refer to God.
Definition: A shortened form of the name ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) used in many compounds as the letters 'Je' or 'jah'
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in '-iah,' '-jah.' See also: Exodus 15:2; Psalms 118:17; Psalms 68:5.
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לִ/סְגֻלָּתֽ/וֹ
çᵉgullâh
H5459
"possession"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word means a valuable possession or treasure, something that is highly prized. In the Bible, it's used to describe the treasure of the Israelites, like the jewels and precious metals they took from Egypt. It's also used to describe God's people as his special treasure.
Definition: 1) possession, property 1a) valued property, peculiar treasure 1b) treasure
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special. See also: Exodus 19:5; 1 Chronicles 29:3; Psalms 135:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 135:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 135:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 135:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
- Sermons on Psalms 135:4
Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD
2who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
4For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.
5For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods. 6The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 10:15 | Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them, above all the peoples, even to this day. |
| 3 | Malachi 3:17 | “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 7:6–7 | For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. |
| 5 | Psalms 33:12 | Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance! |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 12:22 | Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own. |
| 7 | Psalms 105:6 | O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 32:9 | But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. |
| 9 | Zechariah 2:10–12 | “Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD. “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you. And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem. |
| 10 | Isaiah 43:20–21 | The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. |
Psalms 135:4 Summary
This verse means that the LORD has chosen Israel to be His special people, and that He loves and values them deeply, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6. As believers, we can also be chosen by the LORD and be His treasured possession, as stated in 1 Peter 2:9. This means that we are loved and valued by the LORD, and that we should live our lives in a way that honors and pleases Him, as seen in Colossians 1:10. We can show our love and gratitude to the LORD by obeying His commands and sharing His love with others, as stated in John 14:15 and Matthew 28:19-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the LORD to choose Jacob as His own?
This means that the LORD has set His love and affection on Jacob, also known as Israel, and has chosen them to be His special people, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6 and Deuteronomy 14:2.
Why is Israel referred to as the LORD's treasured possession?
Israel is the LORD's treasured possession because they are precious and valuable to Him, and He has a unique and special relationship with them, as stated in Exodus 19:5 and Malachi 3:17.
Does this mean that the LORD only loves Israel and not other nations?
No, the LORD loves all nations and desires that all people come to know Him, as stated in John 3:16 and Acts 10:34-35, but He has a special covenant relationship with Israel, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and Romans 11:1-2.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives as believers?
As believers, we can apply this verse by remembering that we are also chosen by the LORD and are His treasured possession, as stated in 1 Peter 2:9 and Ephesians 1:4, and that we should live our lives in a way that honors and pleases Him, as seen in Colossians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you to be chosen by the LORD, and how does this affect your daily life?
- How can you show your love and gratitude to the LORD for choosing you as His own?
- What are some ways that you can honor and please the LORD, as His treasured possession?
- How can you share the love of the LORD with others, and help them to understand that they too can be chosen by Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:4
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself,.... To be his own special people, and not another's; for his own service, and for his glory; and to be an habitation for himself, and to be for ever with him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:4
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
Psalms 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.Ver. 4. For the Lord hath chosen] God’ s distinguishing grace should make his elect lift up many a humble, joyful, and thankful heart to him. And Israel for his peculiar treasure] Such as he maketh more reckoning of than of all the world besides. The Hebrew word here rendered peculiar treasure, seemeth to signify a jewel made up of three precious stones, in the form of a triangle, Segullah inde dici Segol, grammatici volunt. The saints are God’ s jewels, Malachi 3:17, his ornament, yea, the beauty of his ornament, and that set in majesty, Ezekiel 7:20, his royal diadem, Isaiah 62:3.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
(4) Peculiar treasure.—A special covenant-name for Israel (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6, &c.), and of private property (1 Chronicles 29:3; Ecclesiastes 2:8).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
Verse 4. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob] This is a third reason. He has taken the Israelites for his peculiar people, סגלתו segullatho, his peculiar treasure; and now has brought them home to himself from their captivity and wanderings.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:4
4. the Lord] Heb. Jah. The verse is based upon Deuteronomy 7:6; cp. Exodus 19:5.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 135:4
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself - The descendants of Jacob. He has selected them from among all the inhabitants of the earth to be his special people.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:4
4. Chosen Jacob—Copied from Deuteronomy 7:6. Peculiar treasure—See Malachi 3:17, where the same word is rendered “jewels.” In these four verses Jehovah occurs four times; Jah, three times; and Elohim, once.
Sermons on Psalms 135:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Prayer of Jabez by J.C. Philpot | Joseph Philpot preaches on the prayer of Jabez, highlighting the desires and breathings of a soul seeking God's blessings, spiritual enlargement, divine guidance, and deliverance f |
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God's Inheritance by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink expounds on the profound truth that God's inheritance is found in His people, emphasizing that God chose not the world or angels, but humanity as His special treasure. He |
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The Parable of the Treasure by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink expounds on 'The Parable of the Treasure' from Matthew 13:44, emphasizing that the treasure represents Israel, hidden in the world, and that the man who finds it symboliz |
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Israel in the Last Days by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's purpose for Israel. He urges believers to bless and not curse Israel, as shown in Numbers 23 with the s |
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A Holy Nation by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of separation from the world in the life of Abraham. God called Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father's hou |
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Evan Roberts Preaching in 1905 by Evan Roberts | Evan Roberts reflects on the glorious deeds of God, emphasizing that no amount of time could fully express His greatness. He challenges the congregation to consider what they offer |
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A Look at the Puritan Through Puritan Eyes by J.I. Packer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Carter, who played a central role in the next chapter of the story. The sermon is divided into three paragraphs: the leaders, the |