Psalms 135:20 Meaning: Praise from Levi and All Who Fear God
House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!
Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah, Those fearing Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
House of Levi, bless ye Jehovah; ye that fear Jehovah, bless Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the psalmist call both the house of Levi and 'those who fear Yahweh' to praise? This verse shows that worship is for every person who reveres God.
Context
Psalm 135 is a hymn that calls God's people to praise Him for His goodness, His power over creation, and His mighty acts in history. The psalm contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, then builds to a series of calls for different groups to bless the Lord. Verse 20 appears in that final section. The pattern echoes Psalms 115 and 118, but here the psalmist adds the house of Levi to the list. The call moves outward from the priests (house of Aaron) to the Levites, then to all who fear the Lord. This isn't a random list. It shows that worship flows from every corner of the community, not just from those with formal roles.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for bless here is barak. It originally meant to kneel, as in showing honor or bringing a gift. When the psalmist says 'bless the Lord,' he means bow low in praise, acknowledging that God deserves your full attention. The word for fear is yare, which carries the sense of reverent awe, not terror. It is the response of someone who has seen God's greatness and knows their own smallness. And house of Levi refers to the tribe set apart to serve in the temple, to care for the sacred things and lead in worship. But the psalmist does not stop with them. He includes you who fear Yahweh, anyone, from any background, who lives with holy respect for the Lord. That is the heart of the call: reverence qualifies you to praise.
How Christians Read This Verse
Jewish commentators like Jarchi understood 'those who fear the Lord' as proselytes, non-Israelites who had come to worship the God of Israel. Christian interpreters have often applied the phrase to all believers, regardless of their role in the church. The structure of the verse has been read as a deepening invitation: first the priests, then the Levites, then every person who holds God in awe. Across traditions, the point stands: the worshiping community is wider than the official leaders. Everyone who fears God has a place in the chorus of praise.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse is only for people with special religious titles, priests, Levites, pastors. In fact, the psalmist deliberately adds a fourth group: 'you who fear Yahweh.' That is not a narrow category of leaders. It means anyone who truly respects and loves God. Your title does not matter. Your reverence does.
Living This Out
You may not lead a congregation or serve in a temple. But you can still praise God this week. When you wake up, name one thing you are grateful for. When you feel small, remember that your fear of the Lord is enough reason to bless His name. You do not need a special office. You just need a heart that knows who God is and speaks it out loud. That is your part in the chorus.
Main takeaway: Every person who fears the Lord is called to offer praise, not just those with official roles.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wants everyone who loves Him to praise Him. You don't have to be a pastor or a grown-up. If you know God is good, you can say thank You to Him.
For ages 9, 12
In Bible times, Levites had special jobs in the temple, but the psalmist also calls 'those who fear the Lord' to praise. That means anyone who truly respects and loves God can praise Him. No special title needed. When you pray or sing at church, you are joining that call.
Questions People Ask
Who are 'those who fear Yahweh' in Psalm 135:20?
Many commentators see them as proselytes, non-Israelites who came to worship the God of Israel. But the phrase also applies to any person, Jew or Gentile, who lives with reverent awe for the Lord. The psalmist includes them as a distinct group to show that worship is not limited to the priesthood or a single nation.
Why does the psalmist mention the house of Levi separately from the house of Aaron?
The house of Aaron refers to the priests, who descended from Aaron, Moses' brother. The house of Levi includes all other Levites, who assisted the priests and cared for the temple. By naming both, the psalmist calls everyone who serves in the sanctuary to praise, from the highest leader to the lowest helper. Then he goes further and includes every person who fears God.
What is the connection between Psalm 135:20 and Psalm 115:9-13?
Both psalms end with a series of calls for different groups to trust or bless the Lord. Psalm 115 includes Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord. Psalm 135 expands that pattern by adding the house of Levi. It intensifies the invitation, making sure no one is left out.
Is this verse only for ancient Israel, or does it apply to Christians today?
The call to praise God for His goodness and power is timeless. While the specific mention of Levi and Aaron points to the Old Testament temple order, the final group, 'those who fear Yahweh', opens the invitation to everyone who reveres the true God. Christians have always seen this as a call for all believers to bless the Lord, because in Christ there is no longer a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.
What does it mean to 'bless the Lord'? Isn't it strange for humans to bless God?
To bless God means to praise Him, to speak well of Him, to honor Him for who He is and what He has done. The Hebrew word barak includes the idea of kneeling in homage. We cannot add anything to God, but we can give Him the gratitude and worship He deserves. It is the fitting response of a heart that knows His greatness.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study