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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 135:5-14

The psalmist had suggested to us the goodness of God, as the proper matter of our cheerful praises; here he suggests to us the greatness of God as the proper matter of our awful praises; and on this he is most copious, because this we are less forward to consider. I. He asserts the doctrine of God's greatness (Ps. 135:5): The Lord is great, great indeed, who knows no limits of time or place. He asserts it with assurance, ?I know that he is so; know it not only by observation of the proofs of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:5

For I know that the Lord is great ,.... Jehovah the Father is great in his perfections; in his power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, and goodness; and in his works of creation, providence, and grace: and so is Jehovah the Son, who seems chiefly designed, who is called "our Lord" or "Adon" in the next clause; he is great, having the same perfections his Father has; and doing the same works, besides the miracles he wrought here on earth, and the great work of our redemption: he is the great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:5

The Lord is great - Unlimited in his power: another reason. Is above all gods - Every class of being, whether idolized or not; because he is the Fountain of existence. This is a fifth reason. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:5

Verse 5 5.For I know that Jehovah is great We have here a general description of the power of God, to show the Israelites that the God they worshipped was the same who made the world, and rules over all according to his will, neither is there any other besides him. He would not exclude others when he speaks of having known himself the greatness of God, but is rather to be considered as taking occasion from his own experience to stir up men generally to attend to this subject, and awake to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

1. His mercies to Israel ( Psalms 135:4 , Psalms 135:14 ). 2. His greatness in nature ( Psalms 135:5-7 ) and in history ( Psalms 135:8-12 ). 3. His infinite superiority to idols ( Psalms 135:15-18 ). Metrically divided into three stanzas of seven verses each ( Psalms 135:1-7 ; 8-14; and 15-21). A "Hallelujah psalm" ( Psalms 135:1 , Psalms 135:21 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

Reasons for the worship and service of God. The psalm suggests to us— I. TWO REASONS FOR PRAISING GOD . ( Psalms 135:1-4 .) 1. God is worthy of our utmost reverence. "The Lord is good." The truth is too familiar to us to strike us; but if we contrast the character of the God whom we worship with that of the deities of heathen lands (see Psalms 135:15-18 ), we see and feel how great is our privilege, how excellent a thing it is to pay reverent homage to One who is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

The march of mercy. This psalm traces the progress of God's mercy to his people from its source in the Divine nature on to its complete fulfillment in their loving, glad allegiance, the expression of which begins and ends the psalm. I. IT BEGINS IN THE INHERENT NATURE OF GOD HIMSELF . ( Psalms 135:3 .) "The Lord is good." From this proceeds all the rest, and in this all that follows finds its explanation. That "God is love" is, after all, the key which fits the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

God's praises. "An exhortation to the priests and Levites who wait in the sanctuary to praise Jehovah, both because of his goodness in choosing Israel to be his people, and because of his greatness, and the almighty power which he has shown, in his dominion over the world of nature, and in the overthrow of all the enemies of his people. Then his abiding majesty is contrasted with the nothingness of the idols of the heathen." I. THE GENERAL GROUNDS OF THE PRAISE OF GOD .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:5

For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Here is the second reason why God should be praised—he is great, greater far than any other being—"above all gods"—"more to be feared than all gods" ( Psalms 96:4 ). This greatness is shown, firstly, in his power over nature, which is the subject of Psalms 135:7 , Psalms 135:8 ; and secondly, in his dealings with mankind, which form the subject of Psalms 135:8-12 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 135:5

For I know - I, as the representative of Israel, and speaking in the, name of the people. This is said as the foundation or the reason for praise. It was the thorough conviction of the psalmist that God was great above all who were claimed to be gods, and that he only was worthy of worship.That the Lord is great - See the notes at Psalms 95:3.And that our Lord is above all gods - All that are worshipped as gods. read more

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