Tehillim 135 | The Great Hallel

The collection of Songs of Ascents (=שירי המעלות) closed with a call to the servants of the Lord to bless Him. The next unit in the book (a short section comprising two psalms) takes up that call and opens with a hymn of praise: “Halleluya! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, you servants of the Lord who stand in the Lord's House, in the courtyards of the House of our God.” (vv.1–2) This hymn, known as the Great Hallel, spans a wide range of themes for which God is to be praised: it begins with God’s choosing of Israel, moves through the creation of the world, continues with His control over nature and the sending of rain, and recalls the miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim, the victories in battles, and His sovereign rule. God’s governance is total and touches every realm, and that is why He is worthy of being praised.

The psalm includes references and parallels from earlier psalms and from verses throughout the whole Tanakh. Many of its lines are drawn from the “Egyptian hallel” (the hallel recited on holidays – Psalms 113–118), as well as from other biblical texts. These reused verses gain new meaning in their new context. For example, the comparison between the Lord and the idols of the nations appears in Psalm 115: “Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.” (115:4) There, the comparison is meant to encourage trust in God also in times of trouble: “Israel, trust in the Lord – He is their help and their shield.” (115:9) But in our psalm, the same comparison serves a different purpose, and it is to elevate the Lord and to bless Him after the good has already come: “House of Israel – bless the Lord.” (135:19)

Even without assigning new interpretations, these scriptural echoes lend new meaning to familiar words, and emphasize that the ancient message remains relevant in every generation — each generation has its own Hallel, and its own thanksgiving. We do the same when we recite a psalm that matches the moment, the mood, or the prayer we wish to bring before God that day. The message of the Great Hallel is that at all times and in every season, it is fitting to bless the Lord and proclaim: “Blessed is the Lord from Zion, He who dwells in Jerusalem. Halleluya!” (135:21)