What is the meaning of Psalm 135:20? O house of Levi “ O house of Levi …” (Psalm 135:20) • The Levites were set apart for service in the tabernacle and later the temple (Numbers 3:6–9). • Their daily work—carrying the ark, offering sacrifices, leading music (Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:16)—was a living testimony of God’s holiness. • Being singled out here reminds us that those entrusted with spiritual leadership must never outgrow the call to worship. Malachi 2:4-6 shows the Levites blessed the nation when they themselves walked in reverent obedience. • Today every believer is called “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), so the charge to the “house of Levi” presses on everyone who serves God in any capacity: keep worship central. bless the LORD “… bless the LORD …” (Psalm 135:20) • To “bless” the LORD is to speak well of Him, to declare His worth, to thank Him for who He is (Psalm 103:1-5). • The command is not about adding something to God—He is complete—but about aligning our hearts with truth. Psalm 134:2 pictures raised hands at night in the sanctuary, illustrating continual praise. • For the Levites, blessing the LORD in public worship modeled to Israel how to respond to covenant love. For us, it invites words, songs, and actions that spotlight His character throughout the week. you who fear the LORD “… you who fear the LORD …” (Psalm 135:20) • The psalmist now widens the circle beyond clergy to every God-fearing person. Psalm 115:11-13 pairs “those who fear the LORD” with promises of help and blessing, proving reverence is never wasted. • “Fear” here is awe, love-drenched respect that shapes choices (Proverbs 9:10). Cornelius is called “a devout man and one who feared God” (Acts 10:2), and heaven itself celebrates “all you servants of God, you who fear Him” (Revelation 19:5). • This phrase demolishes any spectator mentality. Whether in a pew, at a kitchen sink, or in a hospital bed, every believer is summoned to join the chorus. bless the LORD! “… bless the LORD!” (Psalm 135:20) • Repetition drives the point home: worship is the fitting, continual response to God’s unmatched greatness (Psalm 150:6). • By closing with the same command, the verse gathers leaders and laity, specialists and ordinary saints, into one voice. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 underlines the same lifestyle: “Rejoice always… give thanks in every circumstance.” • The exclamation mark captures the tone—fervent, wholehearted, no trace of reluctance. Real praise is never half-hearted because the God we bless is never half-worthy. summary Psalm 135:20 calls the ministers (house of Levi) and every God-fearing person to unite in wholehearted, vocal, continual praise. Worship is not a spectator event but a shared, joyful duty rooted in reverent awe. |
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