Learn Psalms 135: What It Means and Why It Matters

Chapter Summary: The Point

The psalm calls the servants of God to praise his name in Psalms 135. God is the central subject, while Jacob, Israel, Pharaoh, Sihon, Og, Aaron, Levi, Zion, and Jerusalem are named within the chapter’s praise. The servants who stand in God’s house are summoned to worship because God is good and his name is pleasant. The psalm remembers God’s choice of Jacob and Israel, then declares that the Lord is great and above all gods. God’s rule extends over heaven, earth, seas, depths, clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. His saving power appears in the defeat of Egypt, Pharaoh, many nations, Sihon, Og, and the kingdoms of Canaan. The chapter contrasts the living God with idols made of silver and gold, which have mouths, eyes, and ears but no speech, sight, hearing, or breath. It ends by calling the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and all who fear God to praise him from Zion.

Outline: The Structure of Psalms 135

• Verses 1–3: God’s servants are called to praise his good and pleasant name.
• Verse 4: God’s choice of Jacob and Israel gives a reason for praise.
• Verses 5–7: God is great above all gods and sovereign over creation.
• Verses 8–12: God judged Egypt, defeated kings, and gave Israel an inheritance.
• Verses 13–14: God’s name endures, and he will judge and have compassion on his people.
• Verses 15–18: The idols of the nations are lifeless works of human hands.
• Verses 19–21: Israel, Aaron, Levi, and all who fear God are called to bless him from Zion.

Context: The Setting

Literary Flow and Genre: Psalms 135 stands within Book Five of the Psalter (Psalms 107–150), where thanksgiving, restoration, pilgrimage, covenant memory, kingship, and final praise move the book toward its closing hallelujahs. This chapter belongs within Praise After the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 135–136), a pair that celebrates God’s greatness through creation, exodus, victory over kings, and covenant kindness. Psalm 134 ends the Songs of Ascents by calling the servants who stand in God’s house at night to bless him. Here, the same kind of servants are called to praise God’s name in his courts. The next psalm repeats God’s works with the refrain that his loving kindness endures forever. The genre is a hymn of praise with historical remembrance and polemic against idols. Read it by following its reasons for worship: God is good, God chose Israel, God rules creation, God redeemed his people, and God alone is living.

History and Culture: Psalm 135 has no superscription in the WEBU text, so the chapter itself supplies the setting. The opening addresses servants who stand in God’s house and in the courts of his house, which places the song in temple-centered worship. Jacob and Israel name the covenant people God chose for himself. Egypt, Pharaoh, Sihon, Og, and Canaan recall the exodus and conquest traditions, where God delivered Israel and gave them the promised inheritance. The houses of Aaron and Levi refer to priestly and Levitical service, while “you who fear the Lord” widens the call to all reverent worshipers. Idols of silver and gold reflect the manufactured images of the nations, which Scripture exposes as lifeless objects rather than living gods.

Psalms 135 Commentary: The Walkthrough

Verses 1–3: The Servants Called to Praise

The psalm begins with repeated praise: “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD’s name!” The first words summon worship before giving reasons. Praise is the fitting response to the God who will be described through the whole chapter.

The addressed worshipers are “you servants of the LORD,” those who stand in God’s house and in the courts of his house. The language points to temple service, especially priests and Levites, while also drawing the congregation into the praise. Those nearest the place of worship must lead in honoring God’s name.

Verse 3 gives the first reason: “for the LORD is good.” God’s goodness is basic to worship. His name is pleasant, so singing praises to him is right and fitting. Praise is not forced flattery; it answers God’s revealed goodness.

Verse 4: The Chosen Possession

Verse 4 turns to election: “For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.” Jacob and Israel refer to the covenant people. God’s choice gives them identity before they offer praise.

The phrase “for himself” matters. God chose Israel for his own purpose, worship, witness, and covenant possession. Israel did not create its status by strength or merit. Grace stands behind Israel’s calling.

The verse also gives a reason for the temple servants to praise. They serve in the house of the God who first claimed his people. Worship begins with divine initiative. God chose, therefore Israel sings.

Verses 5–6: The Great Lord Above All Gods

The psalmist speaks personally: “For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods.” This confession is direct. God’s greatness is known through his works and through his covenant revelation.

“Above all gods” does not grant true deity to idols or rival powers. The next section will show that idols are lifeless works of human hands. The phrase declares God’s supremacy over everything the nations treat as divine. The Lord has no equal.

Verse 6 expands the claim: “Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done.” God acts according to his will in heaven, earth, seas, and depths. His sovereignty reaches every realm. No part of creation lies outside his authority.

Verse 7: The Lord Over Weather and Waters

Verse 7 names clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. God causes clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings wind out of his treasuries.

Weather was a major test case in the ancient world because many nations linked rain, fertility, storms, and harvests to their gods. Psalm 135 assigns these powers to the Lord alone. Creation obeys the living God, not the idols of the nations.

The “treasuries” of wind use poetic language for God’s command over what humans cannot store or control. The verse trains worshipers to see ordinary rain and wind as governed by God. The creator’s rule is both cosmic and daily.

Verses 8–9: Judgment on Egypt

The psalm moves from creation to redemption: “He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.” The death of the firstborn was the final plague before the exodus. It judged Egypt’s oppression and broke Pharaoh’s resistance.

Verse 9 says God sent “signs and wonders” into Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants. These signs were public acts of judgment. They displayed God’s power over Egypt’s king, household, land, and gods.

Egypt stands as the great old oppressor in Israel’s memory. The God who rules creation also redeems his people from bondage. Praise remembers rescue with moral seriousness. Deliverance came through judgment against hardened evil.

Verses 10–12: Kings Defeated and Land Given

God struck many nations and killed mighty kings. The psalm names Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan. These kings opposed Israel east of the Jordan and were defeated before the land was fully entered.

“All the kingdoms of Canaan” broadens the memory to the inheritance God gave his people. The psalm does not treat the land as Israel’s achievement. Verse 12 says God “gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.”

The repeated word “heritage” emphasizes gift. God fought and gave because Israel belonged to him. The historical sequence runs from Egypt to kings to land. The God who chose Jacob also brought Jacob’s descendants into the promised inheritance.

Verses 13–14: Enduring Name and Compassion

Verse 13 addresses God directly: “Your name, LORD, endures forever; your renown, LORD, throughout all generations.” The divine name in the quote points to God’s revealed character and covenant faithfulness. His fame does not fade when one generation passes.

Verse 14 gives comfort: “For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants.” To judge his people here means God will vindicate, govern, and set things right for them. The paired line adds compassion.

This verse joins majesty with mercy. The great God is not distant from his servants. He acts for them with righteous judgment and tender compassion. The servants called to praise are also servants who need mercy.

Verses 15–18: The Lifeless Idols

The contrast is sharp: “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.” Idols may have valuable materials, but their origin is human craftsmanship. Their value as metal cannot make them divine.

The psalm lists body parts without life. They have mouths but cannot speak. They have eyes but cannot see. These parts have ears but cannot hear. No breath is in their mouths. Idols imitate life without possessing life.

Verse 18 gives the warning: “Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.” Worship shapes the worshiper. Trusting lifeless gods leads to spiritual deadness. False worship dehumanizes because it attaches the soul to what cannot speak, see, hear, breathe, or save.

Verses 19–21: The Houses Called to Bless

The final section returns to praise commands. The house of Israel, the house of Aaron, and the house of Levi are all called to praise. The whole covenant people, the priests, and the Levites must answer God’s greatness together.

Then the circle widens: “You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!” Reverent worshipers beyond the named houses are included. Fear means humble awe, trust, and submission before God.

Verse 21 blesses God from Zion, “who dwells in Jerusalem.” Zion and Jerusalem name the chosen center of worship where God made his presence known among his people. Praise rises from God’s dwelling place and reaches all who fear him. The last words repeat the opening: “Praise the LORD!” The psalm begins and ends with the worship God deserves.

The chapter’s movement is clear:

• God’s servants are summoned to praise.
• God chose Jacob and Israel.
• God rules creation according to his pleasure.
• God judged Egypt and defeated kings.
• God gave his people an inheritance.
• God’s name endures, and he has compassion.
• Idols are lifeless, and their worshipers become like them.
• All who fear God are called to praise.

Application: The Practice

Personal Faith and Discipleship

1. Praise God’s name | The psalm begins and ends with the command to praise God. Personal faith should answer God’s goodness, greatness, and mercy with deliberate worship. References: Psalms 135:1–3, 21.
2. Rest in chosen grace | God chose Jacob for himself and Israel for his possession. Believers should receive identity as grace from God rather than grounding worth in achievement, status, or self-definition. References: Psalms 135:4.
3. Trust God’s rule | God does whatever pleases him in heaven, earth, seas, and depths. The chapter exposes the fear that creation, history, or hostile powers operate outside God’s command. References: Psalms 135:5–7.
4. Reject lifeless trusts | Idols have mouths, eyes, and ears but no speech, sight, hearing, or breath. Discipleship must reject the false confidence of money, image, control, and man-made securities that cannot save. References: Psalms 135:15–18.

Church and Community

1. Lead worship from service | The servants who stand in God’s house are called to praise. In Israel’s setting, temple servants praised from their appointed place; Christian service now should also lead to worship rather than mere religious labor. References: Psalms 135:1–2.
2. Remember redemption together | The psalm recalls Egypt, Pharaoh, signs, wonders, Sihon, Og, and inheritance. Churches should remember God’s saving acts in Scripture as the shared memory that forms praise and confidence. References: Psalms 135:8–12.
3. Guard living worship | Idols are lifeless works of human hands, and those who trust them become like them. Christian community should keep worship centered on the living God rather than on human-made substitutes, religious aesthetics, or cultural idols. References: Psalms 135:15–18.

Leadership and Teaching

1. Give reasons for praise | Psalm 135 commands praise and then gives reasons: goodness, election, greatness, creation rule, redemption, compassion, and superiority over idols. Leaders should teach worship with substance. References: Psalms 135:1–18.
2. Teach sovereignty plainly | God does whatever pleases him in every realm. Teachers should present God’s sovereign rule as comfort for his people and correction to proud self-reliance. References: Psalms 135:5–7.
3. Expose idolatry directly | The psalm mocks idols by naming what they cannot do. Leaders should help people see how false gods promise life while leaving worshipers spiritually dull and dependent on what is dead. References: Psalms 135:15–18.
4. Call every household to praise | Israel, Aaron, Levi, and all who fear God are summoned. Teaching should include the whole people of God, leaders and congregation alike, in shared praise. References: Psalms 135:19–21.

Interpretive Options: The Differences

How should “above all gods” be understood?

• Broad Christian consensus: The phrase declares God’s supremacy over everything the nations call gods. The psalm later says idols are works of human hands with no breath, so it does not teach that idols are true divine beings. God alone is living, sovereign, and worthy of worship.
• Spiritual-powers reading: Some Christian interpreters allow that idols may be connected with demonic deception or spiritual powers behind false worship. This reading draws on wider biblical passages about idolatry and demons. Psalm 135 itself emphasizes the lifelessness of the images and the folly of trusting them.
• Polemic reading: A worship-centered reading sees the phrase as part of the psalm’s attack on pagan worship. The living God speaks, acts, rules, judges, and saves. Idols remain silent and powerless.

What does God’s pleasure in verse 6 teach?

• Broad consensus: God acts according to his own will throughout creation. Heaven, earth, seas, and depths are all under his authority. His sovereignty is active and complete.
• Reformed emphasis: Reformed interpreters often stress God’s exhaustive rule over all things. Verse 6 gives strong language for divine sovereignty without embarrassment. God’s pleasure is holy, wise, and effective.
• Wesleyan/Arminian emphasis: Wesleyan and Arminian interpreters affirm God’s sovereign rule while also emphasizing that God’s purposes include real human response and responsibility. In this psalm, the command to praise and the warning against idols show that worshipers are accountable.

How should the exodus and conquest memories be read?

• Old Testament covenant reading: The references to Egypt, Pharaoh, Sihon, Og, Canaan, and inheritance recall God’s historical deliverance and land gift to Israel. The psalm praises God for saving his chosen people and giving them the heritage he promised. This is the first setting of the text.
• Canonical Christian reading: Christian readers see these events as part of the larger storyline that leads to Christ. Exodus deliverance, victory over enemies, and inheritance become patterns fulfilled in redemption, resurrection victory, and the promised kingdom. The original history remains real and foundational.
• Modern dispensationalist reading: A later dispensationalist view often keeps the land inheritance more sharply focused on ethnic Israel and future national promises. Historic Christian interpretation reads the inheritance within the wider biblical fulfillment in Christ and the new creation, while still honoring the Old Testament land gift.

What does verse 18 mean when it says idol-makers become like idols?

• Broad Christian consensus: Worship shapes worshipers. Those who trust lifeless idols become spiritually hardened, dull, and unable to respond rightly to God. The warning applies to makers and trusters alike.
• Pastoral reading: Many Christian teachers apply the principle to modern idols. People become like what they ultimately trust, whether money, power, pleasure, ideology, or self-image. The psalm’s direct target is carved idols, and the principle extends to every false trust.
• Moral-spiritual reading: Some interpreters stress that idolatry damages human faculties. Mouths, eyes, ears, and breath become images of failed spiritual response. False worship makes people less alive to truth, prayer, obedience, and praise.

Common Misreadings: The Mistakes

“Psalm 135 treats idols as harmless religious objects.” The psalm says idols cannot speak, see, hear, breathe, or save, and it warns that those who trust them become like them. Idolatry is spiritually destructive.

“God chose Israel because Israel was naturally superior.” Verse 4 says God chose Jacob for himself and Israel for his own possession. The emphasis falls on God’s gracious choice, not Israel’s greatness.

“The psalm is only about ancient events with no present claim.” The chapter commands praise, warns against idols, and calls all who fear God to worship. The history grounds present faith, obedience, and praise.

Leading: The Teaching Guide

The Aim: Psalms 135 teaches that the living God deserves praise because he chose his people, rules creation, redeemed Israel, judges idols, and has compassion on his servants, especially in vv. 3–7 and vv. 13–18.

A Teaching Flow:

1. Begin with vv. 1–3, showing the servants in God’s house called to praise his good and pleasant name.
2. Move to verse 4 by explaining God’s choice of Jacob and Israel as the foundation of covenant praise.
3. Teach vv. 5–7 through God’s greatness, supremacy, sovereign pleasure, and rule over creation.
4. Explain vv. 8–12 as remembered redemption: Egypt, Pharaoh, kings, Canaan, and inheritance.
5. Center vv. 13–14 on God’s enduring name, judgment for his people, and compassion for his servants.
6. Contrast the living God with idols in vv. 15–18.
7. End with vv. 19–21, where every house and all who fear God are called to bless him from Zion.

The Approach: Teach this chapter as a praise hymn built from reasons for worship. Keep the living God and lifeless idols in direct contrast. In the wider storyline of Scripture, God’s choice, redemption, victory, inheritance, and compassion reach their fullness in Christ, who reveals the living God and gathers a people for true worship.

Cross-References: The Connections

Exodus 12:29–32 – Records God striking Egypt’s firstborn and breaking Pharaoh’s resistance.

Exodus 15:11–18 – Praises God as incomparable, mighty in redemption, and faithful to bring his people to his dwelling.

Deuteronomy 7:6–8 – Explains God’s choice of Israel as rooted in his love and oath, not Israel’s greatness.

Joshua 12:1–6 – Lists the defeat of Sihon and Og, the kings named in Psalm 135.

Isaiah 44:9–20 – Exposes the folly of idols made by human hands.

Jeremiah 10:1–16 – Contrasts lifeless idols with the living God who made the earth by his power.

Acts 17:24–29 – Teaches that the God who made the world is not served by human hands and should not be reduced to crafted images.

1 Corinthians 10:19–22 – Warns Christians against idolatry and communion with demonic worship.

Revelation 15:3–4 – Praises God’s great works, just ways, holiness, and the nations’ worship before him.

Further Study: The Articles

Coming Soon!