135:1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord, 135:2 who serve in the Lord’s temple, in the courts of the temple of our God.
The author is unknown. The psalmist asked the Levites who work in the temple to praise Jehovah.
135:3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good! Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant!
The name (or character) of Jehovah is to be praised.
135:4 Indeed, the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel to be his special possession.
Jehovah chose Israel to become His special possession.
135:5 Yes, I know the Lord is great, and our Lord is superior to all gods.
Jehovah is great. He is superior to all of the pagan gods.
135:6 He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths.
Jehovah is not just a local nature deity. He is the God over all of creation.
135:7 He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth, makes lightning bolts accompany the rain, and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
The psalmist possessed an advanced understanding of the hydraulic cycle, This cycle begins by evaporation from the oceans, The waters are transported inland by the great atmospheric circulation. Then, electricity activates condensation and precipitation.
It is also important to note that this verse is very similar to the last part of Jeremiah 10:13 and Jeremiah 51:16. This means that Jeremiah may have been the author of this song.
135:8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, including both men and animals.
Egypt violated the Abrahamic Covenant, so God decimated them by striking down the first-born of Egypt.
135:9 He performed awesome deeds and acts of judgment in your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.
Pharaoh claimed that he was a god, but Jehovah proved him wrong.
135:10 He defeated many nations, and killed mighty kings—
All of the nations who attacked Israel violated the Abrahamic Covenant. Therefore, Jehovah slew them.
135:11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
King Sihon and King Og violated the Abrahamic Covenant, so God exterminated them off of this earth.
135:12 He gave their land as an inheritance, as an inheritance to Israel his people.
The land of the Amorites was given to Israel.
135:13 O Lord, your name endures, your reputation, O Lord, lasts.
The name (or character) and reputation of Jehovah will endure for eternity. Satan has attempted to blot out Bible history, but the stones of archaeology continually silence his attacks.
135:14 For the Lord vindicates his people, and has compassion on his servants.
Jehovah will take revenge on those who attack Israel.
135:15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold, they are man-made.
The gods of the other pagan nations do not exist. Their idols are man-made from silver and gold.
135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, 135:17 and ears, but cannot hear. Indeed, they cannot breathe.
The idols are made in the images of men and animals, but they are lifeless. They cannot do anything.
135:18 Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them.
Those who worship the false idols will become like the idols. They will become empty and useless.
135:19 O family of Israel, praise the Lord! O family of Aaron, praise the Lord!
The “family of Israel” are the 12 tribes. The “family of Aaron” are the Levites. The 12 tribes will praise Israel. The Levites will praise Israel.
135:20 O family of Levi, praise the Lord! You loyal followers of the Lord, praise the Lord!
The “family of Levi” are the priests of Israel. The “loyal followers” are the Jewish messianic believes. The Levitical priests will praise Jehovah. The messianic believers will praise Jehovah.
135:21 The Lord deserves praise in Zion— he who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Zion is Jerusalem. Those living or visiting in Jerusalem will praise Jehovah.