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Psalm 135:4
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
2you who stand in the LORD’s house, in the courts of our God’s house.
3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
4For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
5For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
Notice
“For himself” makes Israel’s place with God personal: the reason for praise rests in YHWH’s choice to claim a people as his own.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What does the phrase “for himself” add to your understanding of God’s choice of Israel?
Write on thisWhat comfort or tension do you find in the words “his own possession”?
Write on thisHow does Israel’s belonging to God shape the praise in the surrounding verses?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Exodus 19:5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine;Both passages describe Israel as God’s own possession; Exodus speaks of this belonging in connection with obeying his voice and keeping his covenant.
Ephesians 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,Both passages speak of God choosing people, with Ephesians naming a choice in Christ for holiness before him.
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out …Both passages link being chosen with being God’s own possession, and both connect that belonging with praise.
Malachi 3:17They shall be mine,” says the LORD of Armies, “my own possession in the day that I make. I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.Both passages speak of people as God’s own possession, with Malachi adding his promise to spare them.
Exodus 34:9He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us, even though this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and …Exodus asks God to take the people as his inheritance; the psalm declares that Israel is his own possession.
Psalm 65:4Blessed is the one whom you choose and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts. We will be filled with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.Both psalms speak of God’s choice as the basis for belonging with him.
Deuteronomy 10:15Only the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.Both passages locate Israel’s belonging in the LORD’s choice; Deuteronomy also speaks of his love for their fathers.
Isaiah 41:8“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend,Both passages name Jacob and Israel as chosen by God, with Isaiah also describing Israel as his servant.
Deuteronomy 4:20But the LORD has taken you, and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as it is today.Both passages describe Israel as belonging to the LORD; Deuteronomy connects that belonging with his rescue from Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:6–7For you are a holy people to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face …Both passages state that the LORD chose Israel to be a people for his own possession.
Isaiah 43:4Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.Both passages describe God’s regard for his people: the psalm speaks of choosing them, while Isaiah speaks of love and honor.
Isaiah 63:19We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name.Both passages concern belonging to God, though Isaiah laments becoming like people outside his rule and name.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. gratitude. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
There is a firm reason for praise here, even when praise feels hard to begin. Israel’s belonging rests on YHWH’s choice: he chose Jacob for himself.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).