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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he ,.... In creation, producing into being what creatures he thought fit; in providence, doing according to his will in heaven and in earth; in grace, predestinating men to grace and glory, according to the good pleasure of his will, and calling by his grace whom he pleased: so Christ quickens whom he will; and the Spirit dispenses his gifts and grace severally to men as he pleases. Sovereignty, or acting according to will and pleasure, is peculiar to... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the Lord pleased - All that he has done is right, and therefore it is pleasing in his sight. He is the author of all existence. Angels, men, spirits, the heavens, the earth, and all their contents, were made by him, and are under his control. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:6

Verse 6 6.Whatsoever doth please him, etc. This is that immeasurable greatness of the divine being, of which he had just spoken. He not only founded heaven and earth at first, but governs all things according to his power. To own that God made the world, but maintain that he sits idle in heaven, and takes no concern in the management of it, is to cast an impious aspersion upon his power; and yet the idea, absurd as it is, obtains wide currency amongst men. They would not say, perhaps, in so... 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

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