Psalms 135

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 135

1¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise [him], O ye servants of the LORD.

2Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

3Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant.

4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.

5¶ For I know that the LORD [is] great, and [that] our Lord [is] above all gods.

6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

7He 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.

8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

9[Who] sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

10Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

12And gave their land [for] an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

13Thy name, O LORD, [endureth] for ever; [and] thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

15¶ The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

17They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there [any] breath in their mouths.

18They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

19Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

20Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

This psalm calls all servants of the LORD to praise Him for His goodness and for choosing Israel as His peculiar treasure. It extols God's greatness above all gods, recounting His mighty acts in creation and history, such as delivering Israel from Egypt and granting them land. In contrast to the living God, the psalm exposes the futility of man-made idols, concluding with a renewed call for all Israel to bless the LORD from Zion.

Medium Summary

Psalm 135 begins with an earnest call for the servants of the LORD, particularly those ministering in His temple, to offer praise. The psalmist provides reasons for this adoration, highlighting the LORD's inherent goodness and the pleasantness of His name, and His sovereign choice of Israel as His peculiar treasure. The psalm then declares the LORD's unparalleled greatness, asserting His power over all creation—heaven, earth, seas, and natural phenomena like vapours, lightnings, and winds. Historical examples underscore His might, including the plagues upon Egypt, the defeat of powerful kings like Sihon and Og, and the subsequent granting of their lands as an inheritance to Israel. The psalmist affirms the eternal endurance of God's name and memorial, noting His justice and compassion towards His people. A stark contrast is drawn between the living God and the lifeless idols of the heathen, which are mere works of human hands, devoid of sight, hearing, speech, or breath, rendering their makers and worshippers similarly vain. The psalm concludes by reiterating the call for the house of Israel, Aaron, and Levi, and all who fear the LORD, to bless Him, specifically from Zion, where He dwells.

Long Summary

Psalm 135 opens with an emphatic exhortation to praise the LORD, His holy name, and specifically addresses the servants of the LORD who stand within the sacred courts of His house. The psalmist provides compelling reasons for this praise, declaring the LORD's inherent goodness and the pleasantness of His name. A foundational reason for Israel's praise is God's sovereign election, as He chose Jacob unto Himself and Israel as His peculiar treasure. The psalm then transitions to extolling the LORD's unparalleled greatness, asserting His supremacy above all other gods. It proclaims that whatsoever the LORD pleases, that He accomplishes, not only in the heavens and the earth but also in the seas and all deep places, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation. This divine power is further illustrated by His control over natural phenomena, causing vapours to ascend, making lightnings for rain, and bringing forth wind from His treasuries. The psalmist recounts specific historical acts that manifest God's might, beginning with the devastating plagues upon Egypt, particularly the smiting of the firstborn of man and beast, and the sending of tokens and wonders upon Pharaoh and his servants. God's power is further demonstrated by His defeat of great nations and mighty kings, explicitly naming Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, along with all the kingdoms of Canaan. These conquered lands were then bestowed as an heritage upon Israel, His chosen people. The psalm affirms the eternal nature of the LORD's name and memorial, which endures throughout all generations, underscoring His enduring faithfulness. It also declares that the LORD will judge His people and show compassion towards His servants. A profound contrast is then drawn between the living, active God and the impotent idols of the heathen, which are mere constructs of silver and gold, fashioned by human hands. These idols are described as having mouths but speaking not, eyes but seeing not, ears but hearing not, and utterly lacking breath, rendering them utterly useless. The psalmist warns that those who create and trust in these lifeless images become like them in their futility. The psalm culminates in a powerful, repeated call to bless the LORD, specifically directed to the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and all who fear the LORD. The final verse pronounces a blessing upon the LORD out of Zion, where He dwells in Jerusalem, concluding with the overarching command: "Praise ye the LORD."

Core Concepts

  • Divine ElectionThe LORD chose Jacob and Israel as His "peculiar treasure," signifying a special, covenantal relationship and a unique status among nations, serving as a primary reason for praise.
  • God's Sovereignty and PowerThe LORD is declared great and "above all gods," performing "whatsoever he pleased" in creation and controlling natural elements like vapours, lightning, and wind, demonstrating His absolute authority.
  • Historical DeliveranceGod's power is demonstrated through His mighty acts in history, such as smiting the firstborn of Egypt, sending wonders, defeating powerful kings (Sihon, Og), and giving their lands to Israel as an inheritance.
  • Enduring Name and JusticeThe LORD's name and memorial endure forever, signifying His eternal faithfulness and remembrance, coupled with His promise to judge His people and show compassion to His servants.
  • Idolatry's FutilityHeathen idols are exposed as lifeless, man-made objects of silver and gold, incapable of seeing, hearing, speaking, or breathing, rendering them utterly powerless and those who trust in them similarly vain.
  • Call to PraiseThe psalm repeatedly exhorts various groups—servants of the LORD, house of Israel, Aaron, Levi, and those who fear the LORD—to praise and bless Him, emphasizing His goodness and the pleasantness of His name.
  • God's Dwelling in ZionThe psalm concludes by blessing the LORD "out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem," affirming the special presence of God in His chosen holy city and the source of His blessings.