Psalms Chapter 135

Psalms 135

Chapter Overview

Psalm 135 is a robust, expansive hymn of praise that centers on the LORD’s greatness, sovereignty, and faithfulness, repeating a liturgical pattern of praise, exhortation, and recounting God’s mighty acts. The opening commands—“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD”—open a rhythm that continues through the body of the psalm. The poet invites the entire assembled people, including those in the house of the LORD, to voice adoration for the LORD’s benevolence, goodness, and reliability. The psalm then moves into a historical panorama: God’s unique acts for Israel—choosing Jacob, delivering from Egypt, judging nations, and giving the land to Israel. It’s a panoramic retelling of God’s power and faithfulness.

From there, the psalm pivots to the futility of idols—rhetorically dismantling their power by highlighting their lifelessness in contrast to the living God. The repeated refrain, “for his mercy endureth for ever,” punctuates the psalm, emphasizing that all these acts are tied to God’s steadfast love. The final verses turn to blessing different priestly houses (house of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi) and end with a blessing from Zion. The chapter culminates with a communal, contemplative note: praise as the proper response to a God who is relentlessly faithful and sovereign.

Historical & Literary Context

Psalm 135 is part of the Psalter’s royal and liturgical segment, designed to celebrate God’s kingship and mighty deeds. Its language of “house of the LORD” and repetition of praise invites liturgical performance, making it well-suited for temple worship and processions. The piece heightens the communal dimension of worship by listing acts of God that demonstrate his superiority over all other powers—Egypt’s plagues, divine judgments on nations, and land allotment to Israel. The poem’s sober critique of idols demonstrates a polemical stance typical of Yahweh-centered psalms in exilic and post-exilic contexts, reinforcing the covenantal memory of Israel.

Key Themes

- Sovereign lordship and universal power: The LORD’s control over nature, history, and nations.

- Recounting acts of salvation: Public memory as a catalyst for faith and worship.

- Idolatry and indictment: A strong contrast between lifeless idols and the living God.

- Mercy as a throughline: The refrain emphasizes the steadfast love of God across generations.

- Blessing for the faithful: The communal call to bless the LORD reflects reciprocal devotion and praise.

Modern Application

Psalm 135 speaks to modern believers about keeping God at the center of national memory and personal identity. It invites communities to recount God’s acts in personal testimonies, in liturgy, and in public life, ensuring that gratitude becomes a daily habit. The idol-censure section challenges contemporary readers to scrutinize modern idols—wealth, power, technological dependence, or ideological fixedness—and to reaffirm trust in the living God who has proven faithful. The emphasis on blessing the Lord through the House of Israel, the priests, and the faithful Levi reminds us that worship is a shared responsibility across generations and social roles. In a world of fluctuating powers, Psalm 135 grounds confidence in God’s ultimate sovereignty, offering reassurance that faithfulness to God shapes attitudes toward justice, mercy, and community life.

- Psalm 136 (refrain of mercy endureth for ever)

- Exodus 15 (God’s mighty acts; deliverance)

- Deuteronomy 7 (God’s choosing and separating for himself)

- Isaiah 42:8 (God’s name and glory)

Recommended Personas

- Moses: recounting Israel’s deliverance and the divine acts of sovereignty.

- David: kingship language and communal worship.

- Paul: exhortations on living a life of praise and community identity.

- Jesus: the fulfillment of God’s sovereignty and mercy in human history.