Short answer: Psalm 135 is a call to praise the Lord for his goodness, his greatness, and his mighty acts. The psalm calls the servants of the Lord to praise his name. It celebrates God's sovereignty over creation and his acts in history — the plagues in Egypt, the defeat of kings, and the giving of the land to Israel. The psalm contrasts the living God with idols that are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
The setting of the psalm
Psalm 135 is a call to praise the Lord for his goodness, his greatness, and his mighty acts. The psalm begins by calling the servants of the Lord to praise his name. The call is addressed to those who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise is the primary duty of God's people.
The psalm declares that the Lord is good and that his name is pleasant. He has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel as his own possession. The basis of praise is God's character — his goodness — and his electing love. The Lord is not just great in general; he has acted specifically to choose and save his people.
The psalm celebrates God's sovereignty over creation. He does whatever he pleases in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps. He makes clouds rise, lightning flash, and wind blow. The Lord's power over nature demonstrates his supreme authority over all things.
The psalm recounts God's acts in history: the plagues in Egypt, the defeat of Sihon and Og, and the giving of the land of Canaan to Israel. These historical acts demonstrate God's power over the nations and his faithfulness to his people. The Lord's name endures forever, and his fame extends to all generations.
The psalm contrasts the living God with idols. Idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths that cannot speak, eyes that cannot see, and ears that cannot hear. Those who make them become like them. The call to praise the living God is also a call to reject all idols and trust in him alone.
Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh’s name! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, you who stand in Yahweh’s house, in the courts of our God’s house. Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
Psalm 135:1-4 (World English Bible)
Key words and their meaning
The Hebrew word for 'praise' (halal) appears repeatedly in the psalm. The name of the Lord is to be praised because the Lord is good and his name is pleasant. Halal is the root of Hallelujah.
The word 'chose' (bachar) in verse 4 describes God's electing love. The Lord chose Jacob for himself and Israel as his treasured possession. God's choice is the basis of his people's identity.
The word 'idols' (atzabim) in verse 15 describes images or things shaped. The word carries a connotation of pain and sorrow — idols cause grief to their makers. They are utterly powerless.
For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever Yahweh 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.
Psalm 135:5-7 (World English Bible)
What the psalm claims
First, the Lord is good and worthy of praise. His character and his acts call for the praise of all his servants.
Second, the Lord is sovereign over creation and history. He does whatever he pleases and has acted mightily to save his people.
Third, idols are worthless and powerless. The living God alone is worthy of trust and praise.
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.
Psalm 135:8-12 (World English Bible)
Where readers disagree
The relationship between this psalm and Psalm 115 has been discussed. Both psalms contain similar critiques of idolatry.
The historical accuracy of the psalm's account of the plagues has been discussed. The psalm condenses the Exodus narrative for liturgical purposes.
The relationship between this psalm and the Hallel psalms has been discussed. Psalm 135 shares themes with the Hallel collection.
Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations. For Yahweh 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.
Psalm 135:13-18 (World English Bible)
How this psalm connects to the gospel
The themes of Psalm 135 find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament frequently draws on the Psalms to explain who Jesus is and what he accomplished. The psalm's language of deliverance, kingship, and steadfast love all point toward the gospel.
In Jesus, believers see the perfect fulfillment of everything this psalm celebrates. The deliverance the psalmist experienced was a foreshadowing of the greater deliverance Christ would accomplish. The kingship celebrated in the psalm points to Christ's eternal reign. The steadfast love described in the psalm is fully revealed in Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection.
For Christians, reading this psalm is an opportunity to see God's faithfulness across the entire biblical story. The same God who heard the psalmist's cry also hears the prayers of his people today. The same deliverance finds its ultimate expression in the salvation Christ offers. The psalm invites believers to trust in this faithful God and to make his praise known to all generations.
The New Testament writers understood the Psalms as a prophetic witness to Christ. Jesus himself told his disciples that everything written about him in the Psalms must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). When the apostles preached about Jesus, they regularly quoted the Psalms to demonstrate that his suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation were all part of God's redemptive plan.
Psalm 135 participates in this prophetic witness. Whether through its language of kingship, its descriptions of suffering and deliverance, or its celebration of God's steadfast love, this psalm contributes to the biblical portrait of the Messiah. Reading it in light of Christ does not diminish its original meaning but reveals its deepest significance.
House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh! House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh! Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
Psalm 135:19-21 (World English Bible)
Biblical fidelity check
Psalm 135 is theologically sound and consistent with the broader biblical witness. Its themes of God's steadfast love, faithfulness, and righteousness are central to biblical theology. The psalm contributes to the Psalter's comprehensive portrait of God's relationship with his people. While each psalm reflects its original historical context, its truths are enduring and applicable to believers today. The New Testament affirms and deepens the themes found in this psalm, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main message of Psalm 135?
The main message of Psalm 135 is praise the lord, for the lord is good. The psalm teaches that God is worthy of trust and praise. It calls believers to respond to God's character with faith, obedience, and worship.
How does Psalm 135 point to Christ?
Psalm 135, like all Scripture, ultimately points to Jesus Christ. The themes of God's deliverance, steadfast love, and kingship find their fullest expression in Christ. The New Testament frequently quotes the Psalms to explain Christ's person and work. As Jesus himself said, the Scriptures bear witness to him (John 5:39).
How does Psalm 135 apply to Christians today?
Psalm 135 applies to believers today by providing language for prayer, praise, and lament. It teaches about God's character and how believers should respond to him. The psalm's truths are timeless, addressing the universal human experiences of joy, suffering, hope, and trust.
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