Let all ministers, and preachers, and bishops therefore, know, that this Psalm, beginning “Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord,” &c. pertains unto them; teaching them to know that the highest worship of God is the preaching of the word; because, thereby are praised and celebrated the name and the benefits of Christ. PSALM CXXXV. _An exhortation to praise God for his mercy, for his power, for his judgments. The vanity of idols. An exhortation to bless God._ Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise _him_, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD _is_ good: sing praises unto his name; for _it is_ pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, _and_ Israel for his peculiar treasure. For I know that the LORD _is_ great, and _that_ our LORD _is_ above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, _that_ did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain: he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast. _Who_ sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land _for_ an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. Thy name, O LORD, _endureth_ for ever; _and_ thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the heathen _are_ silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there _any_ breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: _so is_ every one that trusteth in them. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi; ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. This Psalm is a Psalm of thanksgiving; exhorting all priests and ministers of the word to preach and to praise God in his great and marvellous works, done in Egypt and in the land of Canaan, that the people might not forget God and his wonderful works, and be turned unto idols, and false kinds of worship; which very soon takes place through security or contempt; where the word of God is not taught diligently and with a great willingness and fervor of heart; as we have already seen in the preceding Psalm.