John Calvin Commentary Psalms 135:1

"Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise [him], O ye servants of Jehovah," — Psalms 135:1 (ASV)

Praise you the name of Jehovah. Though this Psalm begins in almost the same way as the preceding one, the Psalmist does not seem to be addressing the Levites exclusively, but the people generally, since the reasons given for praising God are equally applicable to all God’s children. No mention is made of night watching, or of their standing constantly in the Temple.

But indeed, as it was the special duty of the priests to take the lead in this devotional exercise, to lead, if we might use such an expression, and sing the praises of God before the people, there is no reason why we should not suppose that they are primarily addressed and stirred up to their duty.

We need only to examine the words more closely to be convinced that the people are included next after the priests. For the Psalmist addresses the servants of God who stand in the temple, then those who are in the courts, whereas no notice was taken of the courts in the former Psalm. Mention seems to be made of courts in the plural because the priests had their court, and then there was another common to all the people, for by the law spoken of (Leviticus 16:17), they were prohibited from entering the sanctuary.

To prevent any feeling of disgust that might arise from the very frequent repetition of this exhortation to praise God, it is only necessary to remember, as was already observed, that there is no sacrifice in which he takes greater delight than the expression of our gratitude. Thus, it is written (Psalms 50:14):

“Sacrifice to the Lord thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High;”

And, as it is written in Psalm 116:12-13:

“What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.”

Particular attention is to be paid to those passages of Scripture that speak in such high terms of the spiritual worship of God. Otherwise, exercising a misguided zeal, we may be led to spend our labor on trifles. In this respect, we might imitate the example of too many who have wearied themselves with ridiculous attempts to invent additions to the service of God, while they have neglected what is most important of all.

This is the reason why the Holy Spirit so repeatedly inculcates the duty of praise: it is so that we may not undervalue or grow careless in this devotional exercise. It also implies an indirect censure of our tardiness in performing this duty, for he would not reiterate the admonition if we were ready and active in discharging it.

The expression at the end of the verse—because it is sweet,—admits of two meanings: that the name of God is sweet (as in the previous clause it was said that God is good), or that it is a sweet and pleasant thing to sing God’s praises. The Hebrew word נעים naim, properly signifies beautiful or comely, and this general signification answers best.