Definition: For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 135:4 together. It's a really beautiful and comforting one! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says God is choosing specific people for a special purpose. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself…” This refers to Jacob, who was a very important figure in Jewish history. “Hath” means "has" – it's a past tense of the verb “to choose.” So, God has chosen Jacob for a specific role. “[and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.” This is where it gets interesting. “Israel” refers to the Jewish people – specifically, the Israelites who followed Moses. “Peculiar treasure” means something valuable and special to God, something that distinguishes him from everything else. So, putting it all together: God has chosen Jacob specifically for a role within the Jewish community. And He’s choosing Israel – the people he gave to him – to be valued or blessed with something unique and important. The overall message is about God's love and faithfulness. It suggests that He has a plan for us, even if it's not always obvious. He wants to prioritize certain groups of people and give them something special. Why is this verse meaningful? It’s often seen as a reminder that God cares deeply about His chosen people and values them. It also speaks to the idea of divine providence – that He has a plan for everything, even if it seems distant or unexpected. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its historical context (how it relates to Jewish history)? Connect it to other Bible verses?