Psalm 135:20

Psalm 135:20, in plain English

The final call extends even broader: anyone who fears the Lord—who respects and reverences God—is invited to join in blessing Him. The invitation is ultimately open to all who genuinely seek Him.

Why it's here

By ending here, the psalmist shows that genuine worship isn't limited by ethnicity or office. What matters is whether you fear—revere—the Lord. This opens the door to foreigners and outsiders who truly encounter God's greatness.

Who's speaking

The psalmist, extending the invitation to all worshippers

Where it sits in the story

This anticipates the New Testament vision where the gospel breaks beyond ethnic Israel to all nations, and anyone who trusts in God becomes part of His beloved community. It's the trajectory toward Pentecost and beyond.

The scholarly reading

The final verse completes the inclusive summoning by addressing 'you who fear the LORD'—a comprehensive term encompassing all those who maintain covenantal loyalty. The entire community—priests, Levites, Israel, and pious adherents—is unified in the single imperative to bless the LORD.

Language and setting

The phrase 'those who fear the LORD' (יִרְאֵי יְהוָה, yirei YHWH) became a technical designation in later Judaism for the pious, the faithful remnant. The repetition of 'bless the LORD' (בִּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהוָה, birku et-YHWH) five times across verses 19-20 creates a rhythmic crescendo, emphasizing that worship encompasses the entire covenantal community without exception. The psalm concludes not with condemnation of idolaters or enemies, but with an affirmation of inclusive communal worship.

Voice

The liturgist concludes with universalizing inclusivity, addressing every faithful Israelite regardless of institutional status.

Significance

This inclusive conclusion represents the ultimate intention of biblical covenant: that all God's people—united in faith and worship—constitute a worshipping community whose praise testifies to God's character and sustains cosmic order. This vision of universal worship becomes eschatological in later biblical literature (Isa. 66:22-23) and reaches its Christian expression in Revelation's vision of all creation joining in ceaseless worship (Rev. 4-5).

18Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.

19O house of Israel, bless the LORD; O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;

20O house of Levi, bless the LORD; you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!

21Blessed be the LORD from Zion— He who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Read all of Psalm 135 — The Lord chose Israel as His treasured possession. A hymn that celebrates divine choice and power with borrowed phrases from across the Psalter.