Psalm 135
Psalm 135 is a call to worship, praising God for His greatness, His wondrous acts, and His faithfulness to His people. It reminds the people of God's sovereignty over creation, His power to defeat enemies, and His enduring love for Israel. The psalm also contrasts the living God with lifeless idols and calls on the house of Israel, Aaron, and Levi to bless the Lord.
Psalm 135:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, In the courts of the house of our God!
The psalm opens with a call to worship, directing praise to the Lord from those who serve Him, specifically the priests and Levites who minister in the temple. Their role in the house of God is not only to perform rituals but to lead in adoration and acknowledgment of His greatness.
Psalm 135:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.
The worship is justified by God’s goodness and the joy that comes from praising His name. The psalm highlights God's selection of Israel as His chosen people, a reminder of His covenant love and the special relationship He has with them.
Psalm 135:5-7 (NKJV)
5 For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.
7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
These verses affirm God’s supremacy over all so-called gods, declaring His sovereignty over the entire universe. He controls the forces of nature—weather patterns, the wind, and the seas—demonstrating His unparalleled power and authority over all creation.
Psalm 135:8-9 (NKJV)
8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
The psalmist recalls God’s mighty acts in delivering Israel from Egypt, beginning with the destruction of the firstborn during the tenth plague. These wonders were a demonstration of God’s power over Pharaoh and the forces of oppression, showing that He intervenes to deliver His people.
Psalm 135:10-12 (NKJV)
10 He defeated many nations And slew mighty kings—
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12 And gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people.
These verses recount God’s victory over powerful kings and nations, especially those who opposed Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. God not only defeated them but also gave their lands as an inheritance to His people, fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs.
Psalm 135:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations.
14 For the Lord will judge His people, And He will have compassion on His servants.
The psalmist praises God’s eternal name and fame, emphasizing His everlasting presence and renown. God is a righteous judge, who not only executes justice but also shows mercy to His people, highlighting His loving-kindness and faithfulness across generations.
Psalm 135:15-18 (NKJV)
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
In contrast to the living God, the psalmist points out the futility of idols, made by human hands, incapable of speech, sight, or hearing. Those who create and trust in these idols are equally blind and powerless, a stark contrast to the powerful, living God who acts on behalf of His people.
Psalm 135:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel! Bless the Lord, O house of Aaron!
20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!
The psalm concludes with a call for all of Israel, the priests, and all who fear the Lord to bless Him. The focus shifts to Zion, where God’s presence dwells, underscoring the relationship between God and His people. The final call to “Praise the Lord” reaffirms the entire psalm’s theme of worship and adoration.