What is the meaning of Psalm 135:21? Blessed be the LORD • “Blessed” here invites active praise, echoing Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.” • The focus is on the covenant name LORD (YHWH), reminding us of His faithfulness (Exodus 34:6–7). • By blessing Him, we publicly affirm His character and works, much like David in 1 Chronicles 29:10–13. • Praise rises not only from emotion but from recognition of His acts—creation (Psalm 136:5), redemption (Psalm 106:1–10), and daily provision (Psalm 104:27–30). from Zion • “From Zion” pinpoints the source and sphere of praise. In Psalm 134:3, Zion is the place from which the LORD blesses His people; here His people bless Him back. • Zion represents God’s chosen dwelling and the center of His rule (Psalm 48:1–2; Isaiah 2:3). • The phrase underscores corporate worship: the gathered community lifts praise in the place God appointed, anticipating the heavenly Zion of Hebrews 12:22–24. He who dwells in Jerusalem • God “dwells” (present tense) among His people, fulfilling Psalm 132:13–14: “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling.” • The temple in Jerusalem symbolized His nearness (1 Kings 8:29), yet His dwelling is ultimately with His people wherever they are (Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16). • The verse reinforces that worship is relational—directed to a present, personal God, not a distant abstraction. Hallelujah! • A climactic call for everyone to join in: “Praise the LORD!” identical to Psalm 146:1 and echoed in Revelation 19:6. • It bookends Psalm 135 (see v. 1), forming an inclusio that keeps praise central from start to finish. • The exclamation propels worship beyond Zion to the ends of the earth (Psalm 117:1), inviting universal participation in the chorus. summary Psalm 135:21 caps the psalm with a fourfold reminder: praise belongs to the LORD, rises from His chosen people and place, centers on His abiding presence, and erupts in a collective “Hallelujah!” For believers today, the verse calls us to continual, communal praise rooted in the assurance that the same LORD who once dwelt in Jerusalem now dwells within us and deserves blessing forever. |
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