How does Psalm 135:1 connect with other praise Psalms? Text Spotlight “Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; praise Him, O servants of the LORD.” (Psalm 135:1) Immediate Observations • Begins with “Hallelujah” (Praise the LORD) • Focuses on “the name of the LORD” • Addresses “servants of the LORD,” inviting covenant people to lead the chorus Shared Vocabulary with Other Praise Psalms • “Hallelujah” frames Psalm 113–118 and 146–150 • “Praise the name of the LORD” echoes: – Psalm 113:1 “Praise the name of the LORD.” – Psalm 148:5 “Let them praise the name of the LORD.” • “Servants of the LORD” mirrors: – Psalm 113:1 “Praise, O servants of the LORD.” – Psalm 134:1 “Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD.” Structural Connections 1. Opening Call → Reasons for Praise → Renewed Call • Psalm 135 follows the same pattern seen in Psalm 146–150 (call + cause + call). 2. Hallelujah Brackets • Psalm 135 begins with “Hallelujah” and closes with “Hallelujah” (v. 21), just like Psalm 146–150. 3. Temple Setting • Psalm 134 ended the Songs of Ascents in the temple courts; Psalm 135 immediately keeps worshipers there (vv. 2–3) before the final praise collection (146–150). Parallel Calls to Worship • Psalm 146:1–2 “Praise the LORD, O my soul!” • Psalm 147:1 “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God.” • Psalm 148:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens.” • Psalm 149:1 “Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.” • Psalm 150:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary.” Each uses an imperative “Praise” followed by a sphere (soul, heavens, sanctuary) or group (saints, servants). Psalm 135:1 fits seamlessly into this rhythmic summons to praise. Common Themes Traced from Psalm 135 into Other Psalms • God’s Name Is Worthy – Psalm 103:1 “Bless His holy name.” – Psalm 145:1 “I will bless Your name forever.” • God’s Sovereignty Over Creation (Psalm 135:6–7) – Psalm 147:15–18; Psalm 148:5–13 • Redemptive Acts Remembered (Psalm 135:8–12) – Psalm 136 rehearses the same plagues, exodus, and conquest with the refrain “His loving devotion endures forever.” Unique Contribution of Psalm 135 Within the Praise Collection • Bridges liturgical temple praise (Psalm 134) to universal praise (Psalm 136–150). • Combines historical recital (like Psalm 136) with the exuberant hallelujah style of Psalm 146–150. • Highlights priestly leadership—“servants” stationed “in the house of the LORD” (v. 2)—then widens to “house of Israel…house of Aaron…house of Levi…you who fear the LORD” (vv. 19–20), anticipating Psalm 150’s call to “everything that has breath.” Take-Home Summary Psalm 135:1’s triple command—“Praise…praise…praise”—echoes and amplifies the opening lines of many other praise psalms. Its language, audience, and structure weave it tightly into the hallelujah tapestry of Psalm 113–118 and 146–150, forming an unbroken chain that calls God’s people—and ultimately all creation—to exalt the matchless name of the LORD. |
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