Psalms 135

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD’s name! Praise him, you servants of the LORD,

you who stand in the LORD’s house, in the courts of our God’s house.

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.

For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.

He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.

He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.

He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—

Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—

and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

Your name, LORD, endures forever; your renown, LORD, throughout all generations.

For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.

They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.

House of Israel, praise the LORD! House of Aaron, praise the LORD!

House of Levi, praise the LORD! You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!

Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This psalm is a call to worship rooted in God’s sovereign greatness, electing love, and supreme authority over creation and history. It invites the faithful—especially those serving in God’s house—to praise Him for who He is, what He has done in redeeming Israel, and how He stands in absolute contrast to lifeless idols. The chapter builds from temple-based worship to a universal acknowledgment of Yahweh’s enduring reign.

Flow.

Begins with a summons to the servants of the Lord in His temple to praise His name, grounded in His goodness and the delightfulness of worship.
Recalls God’s election of Israel and demonstrates His unmatched power through His acts in creation and historical deliverance, especially the Exodus.
Proclaims the eternal, unchanging fame of the Lord who governs all and vindicates His people.
Contrasts the living God with the mute, powerless idols of the nations, pronouncing a warning to their makers and worshippers, then closes with a final, inclusive call to all Israelites and God-fearers to bless the Lord from Zion.

Connections. Following chapter 134, which ends with a priestly blessing from Zion, this psalm expands on that moment of worship by calling the people to active praise grounded in God’s redemptive works. It prepares for chapter 136, which echoes its themes of creation, deliverance, and covenant loyalty, but with a repeated refrain emphasizing the enduring nature of God’s steadfast love (WCF 3.7), showing how divine sovereignty and mercy are interwoven in salvation history.

What it teaches. The Lord alone is worthy of worship because He is Creator, Redeemer, and King over all. He freely chose Israel as His inheritance (WCF 7.4–5), not because of their greatness but according to His good pleasure, and demonstrated His unrivaled power in judgments against Egypt and the granting of the Promised Land. His rule extends over nature and nations alike, and His name endures forever (HC LD 9). In contrast, idols are human-made and lifeless, incapable of action or salvation (BC Art. 20), warning all that trust in false gods of spiritual barrenness. The Lord, however, remains personally committed to His people, both judging and showing compassion (WCF 8.6), affirming His covenant faithfulness across generations.

Apply. Praise the Lord in the place where He has revealed His name, joining the assembly that acknowledges His sovereign works and turns away from all substitutes.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.