Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Psalms 135
Psalms 135:5-6For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
These verses declare God's supreme greatness and sovereignty. The psalmist affirms that God is not merely another deity. He is above all gods and has the power to do whatever He pleases, anywhere in the universe.Psalms 135:13-14Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
This is a statement of confidence in God's enduring character and His commitment to His people. His fame is eternal, and His relationship with His people is marked by justice and compassion.Psalms 135:15, 18The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.
Here, the psalm draws a sharp contrast between the living God and lifeless idols. It points out the absurdity of trusting in man-made objects and warns that those who do become spiritually lifeless themselves.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Call to Worship from Within the Temple Courts
The scene is set within the Temple in Jerusalem, the heart of Israel's worship. The opening verses call specifically to the 'servants of the Lord' - the priests and Levites whose lives were dedicated to serving in 'the house of the Lord.' This psalm was likely a liturgical piece, designed to be sung or chanted by the leaders and the congregation during a formal worship service, creating a dynamic atmosphere of praise.
Remembering the Mighty Acts of a Faithful God
The psalm's narrative flows from a call to praise into a list of reasons for that praise. It moves from God's character (He is good) to His actions, recounting His power over weather, His historic deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and His military victories that gave them the Promised Land. This structure was meant to build faith by reminding the people of God's consistent and powerful faithfulness throughout their history.
A Hymn of Praise to the Sovereign Lord
Psalm 135 unfolds as a corporate song of worship, likely performed in the Jerusalem Temple. It begins with a direct call to the religious leaders and then expands to include all of Israel. The psalm moves through a series of powerful declarations, celebrating God's goodness, His supreme power over creation and history, and His ultimate superiority to any man-made idol.
The Invitation to Praise (Psalms 135:1-4)
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.
Commentary:
The psalm begins by calling the temple workers and all of Israel to praise God for His goodness and for choosing them.
The Lord's Power Over Creation (Psalms 135:5-7)
5 For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
Commentary:
The psalmist affirms God's supreme power over all of nature, from the weather to the deepest seas.
The Lord's Power in History (Psalms 135:8-14)
8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;
9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings -
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.
13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
Commentary:
God's historical acts, like the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, are recalled as proof of His faithfulness and power.
The Emptiness of Idols (Psalms 135:15-18)
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see.
17 They have ears, but do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.
Commentary:
A stark contrast is drawn between the living God and the lifeless, man-made idols that cannot see, hear, or act.
A Final Chorus of Blessing (Psalms 135:19-21)
19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord! O house of Aaron, bless the Lord! 20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!
Commentary:
The psalm ends with a final, all-encompassing call for every part of the community to bless the Lord.
Core Truths Revealed in Psalm 135
God's Absolute Sovereignty
The psalm emphasizes that God is not limited in His power. Verse 6 makes it clear: 'Whatever the Lord pleases, he does.' This sovereignty extends over the natural world and the affairs of nations, showing He is the ultimate authority in the universe.
Worship Rooted in Remembrance
Israel's praise is not based on abstract ideas but on concrete historical events. By recounting the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, the psalm teaches that remembering God's past faithfulness is a powerful fuel for present worship and future hope.
The Futility of Idolatry
A central theme is the stark contrast between the living God and dead idols. The psalm argues that idols are a foolish deception, and it warns that placing our trust in anything powerless ultimately makes us powerless too. True life and help come only from the Creator.
Applying the Psalm to Your Life
Psalm 135 shows that recalling God's faithfulness in history (vv. 8-12) is key to worship. When you feel uncertain, remembering how God has provided for you or others in the past builds confidence that He is still the same powerful and compassionate God. It turns your faith from a vague hope into a firm trust based on His proven character.
The psalm describes idols as lifeless things people trust in (vv. 15-18). Today, an idol can be anything you rely on for security, identity, or happiness apart from God - like your career, financial status, relationships, or personal success. This passage warns that placing your ultimate hope in these things will leave you spiritually empty, because they were never designed to carry that weight.
While the psalm is set in the Temple, its reasons for praise are everywhere. You can apply verses 1-3 by consciously looking for God's goodness throughout your day - in nature, in an answered prayer, or in the kindness of a friend. Praising Him can be as simple as saying 'thank you' in that moment, turning your heart toward Him outside of a formal church service.
The Living God Over Lifeless Idols
Psalm 135 makes a bold declaration: our God is the living, active, and all-powerful Creator who is personally involved in the world. It contrasts His mighty deeds in history and nature with the pathetic emptiness of idols that people craft with their own hands. The message is a call to align our worship with reality - to praise the God who actually has power, who chose us in love, and who alone is worthy of our trust.
What This Means for Us Today
This psalm is an invitation to join a timeless chorus of praise, reminding us to ground our faith in the character and actions of God. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any 'idols' we may trust in and calls us back to the one true God who is good, powerful, and present. We are invited to bless the Lord with our entire lives, not just within a building.
- What past example of God's faithfulness can you recall today to encourage your heart?
- Is there any 'lifeless' thing you are trusting in for security that you need to surrender to the living God?
- How can you make praising God for His goodness a more intentional part of your daily routine?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This short psalm sets the stage for Psalm 135, as it is a call for the temple servants to bless the Lord through the night.
Known as the Great Hallel, this psalm follows up by recounting many of the same historical acts of God, adding the constant refrain 'for his steadfast love endures forever.'
Connections Across Scripture
This passage offers a detailed critique of idol worship, contrasting the man-made, powerless idols with the living God who created the heavens and the earth.
Provides the original story of the final plague on the firstborn of Egypt, an event Psalm 135:8 cites as a primary example of God's power to save His people.
This verse explains in detail what Psalm 135:4 means by calling Israel God's 'own possession,' chosen not for their greatness but because of God's love and faithfulness.
Thematic Connections
This passage provides a powerful and sarcastic takedown of idolatry, describing the absurdity of a man using half a tree for firewood and carving the other half into a god to worship.
Discussion Questions
- Psalm 135:6 says, 'Whatever the Lord pleases, he does.' How does this idea of God's total sovereignty impact the way you pray about difficult situations?
- The psalmist warns that those who trust in idols 'become like them' (v. 18). In what ways have you seen people take on the characteristics of the things they value most, for better or for worse?
- This psalm lists specific historical events as reasons to praise God. What events in your own life or in the history of your community serve as powerful reminders of God's faithfulness?
Glossary
places
Zion
The hill in Jerusalem on which the temple was built, often used poetically to refer to Jerusalem or the people of God.
Egypt
The powerful ancient nation from which God delivered the Israelites from slavery.
Canaan
The land God promised to Abraham and his descendants, which Israel conquered and inherited.
figures
Jacob
The patriarch whose name was changed to Israel; his twelve sons became the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel.
Pharaoh
The title for the king of Egypt who opposed Moses and whose nation suffered plagues for enslaving the Israelites.
Sihon and Og
Two mighty kings whose armies were defeated by Israel during their journey to the Promised Land.
House of Aaron
The family line of Aaron, Moses' brother, who were designated to serve as priests for Israel.
House of Levi
The tribe of Israel set apart for sacred duties, including assisting the priests and maintaining the temple.