Christianity
Psalms 135The LORD Above All Gods
Summary
Psalm 135 is a hymn calling the servants of the LORD in his house to praise him, for he is good and has chosen Jacob for himself. It praises God as greater than all gods, doing whatever he pleases in heaven, earth and seas and bringing vapors, lightning and wind. It recalls the slaying of Egypt's firstborn and the defeat of Sihon and Og, then repeats Psalm 115's mockery of idols that have mouths but cannot speak. It closes by calling every house of Israel to bless the LORD.
Key verse
“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”
Psalms 135:5
Themes
- Praise of God's Greatness
- The Election of Israel
- Lord of Nature
- Futility of Idols
Text
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.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
Psalm 115: Idols of Silver and GoldPsalm 135:15 to 18 repeats almost word for word the description of idols in Psalm 115:4 to 8, including the warning that their makers become like them.
Christianity
Numbers 21: Sihon and Og DefeatedNumbers 21:21 to 35 narrates Israel's defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, victories Psalm 135:10 to 12 cites as proof of God's power.
Judaism
Psalm 135 in the JPS 1917 TanakhIn Jewish liturgy Psalms 135 and 136 are recited together in the morning service on the Sabbath and festivals.
Questions about Psalms 135
Who were Sihon and Og?
Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan were rulers east of the Jordan whom Israel defeated before entering Canaan (Numbers 21). Psalms 135 and 136 both name them as examples of God giving the land to his people.
What does 'he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries' mean?
Psalm 135:7 pictures God keeping the wind in storehouses and releasing it at will, along with clouds, lightning and rain. The point is that forces some nations worshipped as gods are simply instruments in the hand of Israel's God.