Praise the LORD, Who Is Great and Faithful

135:1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord, 135:2 who serve in the Lord’s temple, in the courts of the temple of our God. 135:3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good! Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant! 135:4 Indeed, the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel to be his special possession. 135:5 Yes, I know the Lord is great, and our Lord is superior to all gods. 135:6 He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths. 135:7 He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth, makes lightning bolts accompany the rain, and brings the wind out of his storehouses. 135:8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, including both men and animals. 135:9 He performed awesome deeds and acts of judgment in your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. 135:10 He defeated many nations, and killed mighty kings – 135:11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 135:12 He gave their land as an inheritance, as an inheritance to Israel his people. 135:13 O Lord, your name endures, your reputation, O Lord, lasts. 135:14 For the Lord vindicates his people, and has compassion on his servants. 135:15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold, they are man-made. 135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, 135:17 and ears, but cannot hear. Indeed, they cannot breathe. 135:18 Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them. 135:19 O family of Israel, praise the Lord! O family of Aaron, praise the Lord! 135:20 O family of Levi, praise the Lord! You loyal followers of the Lord, praise the Lord! 135:21 The Lord deserves praise in Zion – he who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! Psalm 136

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 135 calls God’s people to praise the LORD. He is good, sovereign, and greater than all false gods. He chose Israel, ruled over creation, judged Egypt, gave the land, and still shows compassion to his servants.

The psalm begins and ends with praise. The LORD’s servants are called to worship him in his house. Praise is fitting because the LORD is good. His name is pleasant to sing about.

The psalm then gives reasons for praise. The LORD chose Jacob and Israel for himself. He is greater than all gods. He does whatever he pleases in heaven, on earth, and in the sea. Even the weather is under his rule. Clouds, lightning, rain, and wind all serve his purpose.

The psalm also remembers God’s saving acts in history. He struck the firstborn of Egypt. He brought judgment on Pharaoh and his servants. He defeated strong kings and many nations. He gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.

The LORD’s name lasts forever. His reputation does not fade. He vindicates his people and has compassion on his servants. His justice and mercy belong together.

The psalm then warns against idols. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, but they are made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and no breath. Those who make them and trust them will end up like them. They become lifeless and empty.

The psalm closes by calling the whole covenant community to praise the LORD: Israel, Aaron, Levi, and all who fear him. The LORD deserves praise in Zion, where he dwells in Jerusalem.

• The LORD is good and worthy of praise.
• God chose Israel as his special possession.
• The LORD is greater than all gods.
• God rules creation and history.
• The exodus and conquest were acts of the LORD, not human power.
• The LORD’s name endures forever.
• He vindicates his people and has compassion on his servants.
• Idols are lifeless human-made objects.
• Those who trust idols become like them.
• God’s people are called to worship him together.

• Praise the LORD.
• Serve the LORD in worship.
• Do not trust idols.
• Remember the LORD’s mighty acts.
• Trust that the LORD vindicates his people.
• Take comfort that the LORD has compassion on his servants.

Psalm 135 places God’s people in the story of covenant grace. The LORD chose Israel, brought them out of Egypt, defeated their enemies, and gave them the land. This psalm highlights the living God who rules all things and keeps his promises. Its praise points forward to the wider biblical hope that the LORD alone is the true King who saves and dwells with his people.

Believers should praise God because he is good, powerful, and faithful. Worship should be grounded in who God is and what he has done. This psalm warns against trusting anything made by human hands instead of the living Lord. It also reminds us that God’s people should gather together in thankful worship.

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