Psalm 135:5-9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:7

He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth ,.... Up to the heavens. Aben Ezra interprets this of the mist which went up out of the earth, and watered it, Genesis 2:6 ; and still vapours are exhaled out of the earth by the force of the sun, and carried up into the air, and form various things, as wind, rain, &c.; The Targum, Kimchi, and others, explain it of the "clouds", so called from their elevation on high: these rise up out of the sea, the borders, and boundaries,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:8

Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. Which was the last of the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians; and is particularly mentioned, because, by means of it, they were made willing to let the children of Israel go out of their land: and so this includes the deliverance of the Israelites, God's firstborn, when he slew the firstborn of Egypt; and who were typical of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven; and the deliverance of them, through the blood of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:9

Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt ,.... Or, "signs and wonders". Meaning the other extraordinary plagues sent among the Egyptians, before that of slaying their firstborn; and which have some likeness to the vials of God's wrath, which will be poured out on the city called spiritually Sodom and Egypt, Revelation 11:8 ; upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants : his courtiers: some of them are particularly observed to affect him and his court; as the plagues of... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:7

He causeth the vapours to ascend - Dr. Shaw thinks that the account here refers to the autumnal rains in the east. Of them he speaks as follows: "Seldom a night passes without much lightning in the north-west quarter, but not attended with thunder; and when this lightning appears in the west or south-west points, it is a sure sign of the approaching rain, which is often followed by thunder. A squall of wind and clouds of dust are the sure forerunners of the first rain." This account induces... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:8

Who smote the first-born of Egypt - See the parallel passages. read more

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