Psalms 135:16-21

Context

135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see,

135:17 and ears, but cannot hear.

Indeed, they cannot breathe.¹

135:18 Those who make them will end up² like them,

as will everyone who trusts in them.

135:19 O family³ of Israel, praise the Lord!

O family of Aaron, praise the Lord!

135:20 O family of Levi, praise the Lord!

You loyal followers⁴ of the Lord, praise the Lord!

135:21 The Lord deserves praise in Zion⁵ –

he who dwells in Jerusalem.⁶

Praise the Lord!

[135:17] ¹tn 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] ²tn 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] ³tn Heb “house” (here and in the next two lines).

[135:20] ⁴tn Heb “fearers.”

[135:21] ⁵tn Heb “praised be the Lord from Zion.”

[135:21] ⁶map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.