Psalm 135:4
WEB
For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
BSB
For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.
KJV
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H3588
conj — relative conjunction
Derivation: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent;
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
KJV: and, (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), but, certainly, doubtless, else, even, except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, (al-) though, till, truly, until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
conj — that
כִּי conj. that, for, when
1. that
2.
a. Of time, when, of the past
b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
3. Because, since
relative conjunction
כִּי אם־
1. each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
a. that if
b. for if
2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
a. limiting the prec. clause, except
b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
c. after an oath, surely
forasmuch as
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
H3290
n-pr-m — Jaakob
Derivation: from 6117; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter);
Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
KJV: Jacob.
n.pr.m — Jacob
יַעֲקֹב 344, יַעֲקוֹב 6 n.pr.m. et gent. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, father of tribes of Isr.
1. as n.pr.m.
2. as n.pr.gent.
H977
v — try, select
Derivation: a primitive root;
properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
vb — choose
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
1. with בְּ,
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
2. with אֲשֶׁר:
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
3. with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
4. with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
5. acc.
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
6. with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
7. with לְ of acc. chosen
8. test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
H3050
n-pr — Jah
Derivation: contraction for 3068, and meaning the same;
Jah, the sacred name
KJV: Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in '-iah,' '-jah.'
n.pr.dei — Jah
יָהּ 60 n.pr.dei contr. fr. יהוה, first appears in early poems
H3478
n-pr-m — he will rule as God, Jisraël
Derivation: from 8280 and 410;
he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
KJV: Israel.
n.pr.m — Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל 2507 n.pr.m. et gent. Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth)
1. n.pr.m. second name of Jacob
2. n.pr.gent. name of Hebrew nation
H5459
n-f — wealth, shut
Derivation: feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up;
wealth (as closely shut up)
KJV: jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.
n.f — possession
סְגֻלָּה n.f. possession, property
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Verses 1–4
Psalms 135:1–4
Here is, 1. The duty we are called to - to praise the Lord, to praise his name; praise him, and again praise him. We must not only thank him for what he has done for us, but praise him for what he is in himself and has done for others; take all occasions to speak well of God and to give his truths and ways a good word. 2. The persons that are called upon to do this - the servants of the Lord, the priests and Levites that stand in his house, and all the devout and pious Israelites that stand in the courts of his house to worship there, Psa 135:2. Those that have most reason to praise God who are admitted to the privileges of his house, and those see most reason who there behold his beauty and taste his bounty; from them it is expected, for to that end they enjoy their places. Who should praise him if they do not? 3. The reasons why we should praise God. (1.) Because he whom we are to praise is good, and goodness is that which every body will speak well of. He is good to all, and we must give him the praise of that. His goodness is his glory, and we must make mention of it to his glory. (2.) Because the work is its own wages: Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant. It is best done with a cheerful spirit, and we shall have the pleasure of having done our duty. It is a heaven upon earth to be praising God; and the pleasure of that should quite put our mouths out of taste for the pleasures of sin. (3.) Because of the peculiar privileges of God's people (Psa 135:4): The Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself, and therefore Jacob is bound to praise him; for therefore God chose a people to himself that they might be unto him for a name and a praise (Jer 13:11), and therefore Jacob has abundant matter for praise, being thus dignified and distinguished. Israel is God's peculiar treasure above all people (Exo 19:5); they are his Segullah, a people appropriated to him, and that he has a delight in, precious in his sight and honourable. For this distinguishing surprising favour, if the seed of Jacob do not praise him, they are the most unworthy ungrateful people under the sun.
Cross-references: Ps 135:2 · Ps 135:4 · Jer 13:11 · Exod 19:5