Psalm 135:14

For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) From Deuteronomy 32:36.

Judge—i.e., see them righted.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

135:5-14 God is, and will be always, the same to his church, a gracious, faithful, wonder-working God. And his church is, and will be, the same to him, a thankful, praising people: thus his name endures for ever. He will return in ways of mercy to them, and will delight to do them good.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the Lord will judge his people - He will interpose in their behalf by his judgments, or by directing the course of events in their favor. This language is copied literally from Deuteronomy 32:36 : "For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants." It is there a part of the song of Moses after the journey through the wilderness, after smiting the kings of the Amorites and of Bashan; and when, delivered from their enemies, the Israelites had come to the borders of the promised land, Deuteronomy 31. The language was, therefore, especially appropriate to the design of this psalm.

And he will repent himself concerning his servants - In behalf of his people. That is, he will do as if he repented, or had changed his mind. He will stay his judgments. He will not suffer his people to be destroyed. He will not permit the judgments which seemed to threaten their entire ruin to be carried out to the full. They shall be arrested midway as if God had then changed his mind. Of course, all this is language accommodated to human weakness, and to the manner of speaking among people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. will judge—do justice (Ps 72:2).

repent himself—change His dealings (Ps 90:13).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Will judge his people; will in due time plead the cause of his people, or give judgment for them, as this phrase is used, Deu 32:36 Jeremiah 5:28 22:16.

He will repent himself concerning his servants; he will recall that severe sentence which for their sins he had passed upon them, and be reconciled to them.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For the Lord will judge his people,.... Rule and govern, protect and defend them; plead their cause, and avenge them of their enemies; judge between them, distinguish them by his care and providence, make them visible, so that others shall see the difference between them; especially at the last day, when he will judge them, and, as the righteous Judge, give them the crown of righteousness. Or "though the Lord judges his people" (m); chastises them in a fatherly way, that they may not be condemned with the world;

and, or "yet" (n);

he will repent himself concerning his servants; of the evil of affliction he has brought upon them; he will change the course of his providential dealings with them, according to his unchangeable will; and turn their adversity into prosperity, and their mourning into joy: some render it, "he will be entreated for his servants" (o); he will hear prayer on their account, and save them out of their afflictions; or, as others, "he will comfort himself concerning his servants" (p); take pleasure in them and their prosperity, comfort them, and take delight in so doing. The Targum of the whole is,

"for the Lord will judge the judgment of his people by his word, and to his righteous servants will return in his mercies.''

(m) "quod si", Junius & Tremellius; "nam etsi", Piscator. (n) "Tamen", Piscator; "mox", Junius & Tremellius. (o) "deprecabitur", V. L. "sinet se deprecari", Tirinus. (p) "Solatium reportabit", Tigurine version.

Geneva Study Bible

For the LORD will {f} judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

(f) That is, govern and defend his people.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. Taken verbatim from Deuteronomy 32:36; cp. Psalm 90:13. In virtue of His relation to Israel He will do them justice, and not finally abandon them.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - For the Lord will judge his people; i.e. will right them whenever they are wronged (see Exodus 2:23-25; Exodus 3:7-9; Exodus 6:6; Psalm 54:1-3). And he will repent himself concerning his servants. God "will not keep his anger for ever" (Psalm 103:9). When he has sufficiently chastised his sinful servants, he will "repent," or "relent" (Kay, Cheyne), with respect to them, and receive them back into favor. The history contained in the Book of Judges strongly illustrates this statement (Judges 3:6-11, 12-30; Judges 4:1-3, 13-16; Judges 6:1-16; Judges 10:6-18; Judges 11:4-33; Judges 13:1-5, etc.). Psalm 135:14

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

This God who rules so praiseworthily in the universe and in the history of Israel is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Just as Psalm 135:13 (cf. Psalm 102:13) is taken from Exodus 3:15, so Psalm 135:14 is taken from Deuteronomy 32:36, cf. Psalm 90:13, and vid., on Hebrews 10:30-31.