Discovery BoxPsalms 135:15-21
Context135:15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold,
they are man-made. 1
135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
135:17 and ears, but cannot hear.
Indeed, they cannot breathe. 2
135:18 Those who make them will end up 3 like them,
as will everyone who trusts in them.
135:19 O family 4 of Israel, praise the Lord!
O family of Aaron, praise the Lord!
135:20 O family of Levi, praise the Lord!
You loyal followers 5 of the Lord, praise the Lord!
135:21 The Lord deserves praise in Zion 6 –
he who dwells in Jerusalem. 7
Praise the Lord!
[135:15] 1 tn Heb “the work of the hands of man.”
[135:17] 2 tn Heb “indeed, there is not breath in their mouth.” For the collocation אַף אֵין (’af ’en, “indeed, there is not”) see Isa 41:26. Another option is to take אַף as “nose” (see Ps 115:6), in which case one might translate, “a nose, [but] they have no breath in their mouths.”
[135:18] 3 tn Heb “will be.” Another option is to take the prefixed verbal form as a prayer, “may those who make them end up like them.”
[135:19] 4 tn Heb “house” (here and in the next two lines).
[135:21] 6 tn Heb “praised be the
[135:21] 7 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
