For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
The Psalmist calls on all God's servants, whether those who stand in the temple itself or in its courts, to praise His name, not as a vague sentiment, but as praise of God in His actual infinite essence: His being, holiness, goodness, and truth. We praise what He truly is.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 135:1-21
Chosen! chosen unto himself, who can be grateful enough? Election is sovereign grace, not the reward of Jacob's merit, for by nature he was no model of loveliness. But mark this: Israel was chosen not chiefly for their own welfare, but to be the Lord's trustees of His truth, the maintainers of His worship, mirrors of His mercy to all mankind. That is the glory of it.
AI summary
Praise Him for what He is in Himself, not only for what He has done for you; those admitted to His house have most reason to praise, for there they behold His beauty and taste His bounty. The work itself is its own reward: praising God is a heaven upon earth, and will quite put your mouth out of taste for the pleasures of sin.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 135:1-4