Psalms
Chapter 135
This psalm calls the people who serve God, especially those gathered at the temple, to praise him. It gives the reasons: God chose Israel, he rules the sky, sea, and weather, and he rescued Israel from Egypt and gave them land taken from mighty kings. The psalm then contrasts God with idols made of silver and gold, which cannot speak, see, or hear. It ends by calling every group in Israel to bless the LORD.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
1Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD. Praise him, all you who serve the LORD.
2Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
2You who stand in the LORD's house, in the open courtyards of our God's house, praise him.
3Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
3Praise the LORD, because the LORD is good. Sing songs of praise to his name, because it is a delight to do.
4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
4The LORD picked out Jacob's family for himself. He made Israel his own special treasure.
"Peculiar treasure" in the KJV does not mean odd or strange. In 1611 it meant something that belongs to one owner alone, like a prized personal possession.
5For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
5I know that the LORD is great. Our Lord is higher than every other god.
6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
6Whatever the LORD wants, he does. He does it in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in every deep place.
7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
7He makes clouds rise from the far ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain. He brings the wind out of his storerooms.
8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
8He struck down the oldest sons in Egypt, and the firstborn of their animals too.
9Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
9He sent signs and wonders right into your land, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all who served him.
10Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
10He struck down many nations and killed powerful kings.
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
11He struck Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
12He gave their land away as a gift to keep. He gave it to Israel, his own people.
13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
13LORD, your name lasts forever. LORD, people will remember you for all time to come.
14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
14The LORD will stand up for his people. He will feel pity for those who serve him.
"He will repent himself" here does not mean God did something wrong. The old word means he changes how he acts toward them and treats them with pity.
15The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
15The idols of the other nations are only silver and gold, made by human hands.
"Heathen" in the KJV simply means the other nations, the peoples who were not Israel.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
16They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see.
17They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
17They have ears, but they cannot hear. There is no breath at all in their mouths.
18They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
18The people who make them end up like them. So does everyone who trusts in them.
19Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
19People of Israel, bless the LORD. Family of Aaron, bless the LORD.
The family of Aaron and the family of Levi were the groups who worked at the temple, leading worship and caring for the building.
20Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
20Family of Levi, bless the LORD. All of you who honor the LORD, bless the LORD.
21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
21May the LORD be blessed from Zion, where he lives in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it