Psalm 135
- 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 firstborn 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.
Psalm 135 is a call to praise and worship the Lord, the God of Israel, who reigns supreme over all the earth. The psalm begins with an exhortation to praise the name of the Lord, acknowledging Him as the sovereign ruler and calling upon His servants to honor and glorify Him.
The psalmist reflects on God’s goodness and His special relationship with the nation of Israel, whom He has chosen as His own treasured possession. God’s greatness is extolled, with recognition of His authority over all creation and His sovereignty over the nations.
The psalmist recounts God’s mighty acts throughout history, including His deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, His judgment upon their oppressors, and His conquest of the land promised to His people. These displays of power serve as a testament to God’s faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant with Israel.
In contrast to the idols of the nations, which are powerless and lifeless, the psalmist emphasizes the living God who hears, sees, and acts on behalf of His people. Those who trust in idols are likened to them, while the true worshippers of the Lord are called to bless His name with reverence and fear.
The psalm concludes with a resounding declaration of praise from the house of Israel, Aaron, and Levi, extending to all who fear the Lord. It affirms the eternal nature of God’s name and His presence in Zion, calling for continual praise and adoration of the Lord.