The Meaning of Psalms 135:1 Explained

Psalms 135:1

KJV: Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

YLT: Praise ye Jah! Praise ye the name of Jehovah, Praise, ye servants of Jehovah,

Darby: Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jehovah; praise, ye servants of Jehovah,

ASV: Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise him , O ye servants of Jehovah,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Praise  ye the LORD.  Praise  ye the name  of the LORD;  praise  [him], O ye servants  of the LORD. 

What does Psalms 135:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 135:1-12 - God's Wonderful Power
This psalm begins and ends with Hallelujah. It contains choice extracts from various psalms, which have been culled as the flowers of a garden are gathered for one bouquet. The arguments for praise are threefold: God's glory in nature, Psalms 135:5-7; His dealings with Israel, Psalms 135:8-14; the contrast of His glorious nature with idols, Psalms 135:15-21.
Notice the arguments adduced to stimulate our praise: that God is good; that praise-giving is pleasant; that He has chosen His people to be His peculiar treasure; that He is as great as He is good; that He will take our part against our foes, etc. The moral of it all is that if we would praise God aright and with zest, we must carefully gather our materials and meditate on all His dealings with us. These are fuel for the flame. But how many more reasons than the psalmist had are there for us to praise Him, who have been adopted into His family and made joint-heirs with Christ! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 135

1  An exhortation to praise God for his mercy
5  For his power
8  For his judgments
15  The vanity of idols
19  An exhortation to bless God

What do the individual words in Psalms 135:1 mean?

Praise YAH Praise - the name of Yahweh Praise [Him] you servants of Yahweh
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ הַֽ֭לְלוּ אֶת־ שֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה הַֽ֝לְלוּ עַבְדֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

הַ֥לְלוּ  Praise 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
יָ֨הּ ׀  YAH 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָהּ  
Sense: Jah (Jehovah in the shortened form).
הַֽ֭לְלוּ  Praise 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
שֵׁ֣ם  the  name 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
הַֽ֝לְלוּ  Praise  [Him] 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
עַבְדֵ֥י  you  servants 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
יְהוָֽה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.