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Old Testament Lite Commentary

Psalm 135

Psalms Psalm 135 PSA_135 Poetry

Main point: Psalm 135 calls the worshiping covenant community to praise the LORD because he is good, sovereign, faithful, and unlike all idols. His greatness is displayed in creation, in Israel’s election, in the exodus, in the gift of the land, and in his continuing compassion for his servants.

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Lite commentary

Psalm 135 begins and ends with “Praise the LORD.” This is a public covenant summons, not merely the expression of a private feeling. The opening call is addressed to the LORD’s servants who stand in his temple courts, showing that the psalm belongs to Israel’s ordered worship in Zion. The first reason for praise is God himself: the LORD is good, and it is fitting and pleasant to sing praise to his name. His “name” refers to his revealed character and public reputation, made known through his works.

The psalm then remembers that the LORD chose Jacob, Israel, to be his “special possession.” This covenant language echoes the exodus story and teaches that Israel belonged to the LORD by gracious choice, not by Israel’s merit. Such privilege brought a particular obligation to praise him. The psalm does not erase Israel’s historical role; it celebrates God’s faithfulness to the people he chose.

From Israel’s election, the psalm widens to the LORD’s rule over all creation. He is greater than all gods and does whatever he pleases in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the depths. Clouds, lightning, rain, and wind are pictured as subject to his command. This is poetic language about God’s providence, not a scientific explanation of weather. Creation is not ruled by chance or rival powers, but by the living LORD.

The psalm next recalls the LORD’s mighty acts in redemption and judgment. He struck Egypt’s firstborn, judged Pharaoh and his servants, defeated powerful kings such as Sihon and Og, and gave the land as an inheritance to Israel. These events are not credited to Israel’s strength. The land is called an inheritance because it was received from the LORD as a covenant gift. At the same time, the psalm does not soften God’s judgment against Egypt and the nations that opposed his purposes.

The LORD’s name endures because his character and deeds remain faithful through the generations. Verse 14 says that he “vindicates” his people and has compassion on his servants. This means that he publicly defends and restores their cause; it is more than sentimental kindness. In the LORD, justice and compassion are not enemies. His covenant faithfulness includes both judgment against enemies and mercy toward his servants.

The psalm then exposes idols with sharp satire. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, eyes, and ears, but they cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe. The Hebrew term for idols carries the sense of worthless things. The warning is severe: those who make and trust them become like them. This refers to moral and spiritual deadness, not physical resemblance. Trusting lifeless substitutes for God deforms the worshiper.

The final call to praise includes the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and all who fear the LORD. This likely gathers the whole worshiping covenant community, while giving special attention to the priests and Levites who served in the sanctuary. The psalm ends in Zion and Jerusalem, where the LORD is praised as the God who dwells among his people.

Key truths

  • The LORD alone is good, sovereign, living, and worthy of worship.
  • Israel’s election as the LORD’s treasured possession was a gift of grace that called for grateful praise.
  • God rules creation and history; weather, nations, kings, judgment, and inheritance are under his authority.
  • The exodus, judgment on Egypt, defeat of hostile kings, and gift of the land display the LORD’s covenant faithfulness to Israel.
  • Idols are lifeless human products, and those who trust them become spiritually like what they worship.
  • The LORD’s compassion for his servants includes public vindication and faithful defense, not mere sentiment.

Warnings, promises, and commands

  • Praise the LORD and bless his name in gathered worship.
  • Remember and confess the LORD’s goodness, greatness, and covenant faithfulness.
  • Do not trust man-made idols or any substitute for the living God.
  • Those who make and trust idols will become like them in spiritual emptiness.
  • The LORD vindicates his people and has compassion on his servants.

Biblical theology

Psalm 135 stands within Israel’s Mosaic, land, temple, and Zion setting. It remembers the LORD’s choice of Jacob, the exodus from Egypt, judgment on oppressive powers, and the land given as inheritance. It does not directly predict the Messiah, but it contributes to the Bible’s larger witness that the LORD alone is the living God, faithful King, Redeemer, Judge, and covenant-keeper. Later Scripture continues these themes in the hope of God’s saving reign, final deliverance, and his dwelling with his people through the unfolding promises of the new covenant.

Reflection and application

  • Let worship be shaped by who God is and what he has done, not by mood, convenience, or personal preference.
  • Receive God’s grace as a reason for humility and praise, not pride; Israel’s election in this psalm was covenant privilege and responsibility.
  • Trust the LORD’s rule over ordinary providence and great historical events, even when his purposes are beyond your sight.
  • Examine modern forms of idolatry, including possessions, power, politics, ideas, or self-made security, and refuse to give them the trust that belongs only to God.
  • Apply this psalm as Christians with care: its call to praise and warning against idols remain instructive, but its exodus, land, temple, and Zion setting must not be flattened or detached from Israel’s historical covenant role.
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