Psa 135 | MHM | STEP | Majesty and Goodness of God This psalm is a joyful call to praise the Lord for His greatness and kindness. We are reminded that praising God is not just a duty, but also a privilege and a pleasure for everyone who belongs to Him. All who serve and worship in God’s house are invited to praise Him, because they see His beauty and experience His gifts. God’s people have special reasons to give Him thanks, because He has chosen them and blessed them in amazing ways. v. 1 : The psalm begins with a strong call: Praise the Lord ! Praise the name of the Lord ; praise him, O you servants of the Lord . We are to praise God not only for what He does for us, but also for who He is and what He has done for others. We should look for every chance to speak well of God and honor Him.

‏ Psalms 135

Majesty and Goodness of God

This psalm is a joyful call to praise the Lord for His greatness and kindness. We are reminded that praising God is not just a duty, but also a privilege and a pleasure for everyone who belongs to Him. All who serve and worship in God’s house are invited to praise Him, because they see His beauty and experience His gifts. God’s people have special reasons to give Him thanks, because He has chosen them and blessed them in amazing ways.

v. 1: The psalm begins with a strong call: Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, O you servants of the Lord . We are to praise God not only for what He does for us, but also for who He is and what He has done for others. We should look for every chance to speak well of God and honor Him.

v. 2: The call is to those who serve the Lord—the priests, the Levites, and all faithful worshippers—who stand in His house and its courts . Those who are close to God and can see His goodness have even more reason to praise Him.

v. 3: The psalm gives reasons for praising God: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant . God’s goodness is something everyone can admire. Praising Him is enjoyable and brings joy to our hearts. It is a great reward just to be able to praise God.

v. 4: There is a special reason for God’s people to praise Him: The Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for His special treasure . God’s people are precious to Him, set apart as His own. This is a great honor and blessing. If God’s people do not praise Him for this, they are truly ungrateful (Exodus 19:5; Jeremiah 13:11 ^a).

Majesty and Goodness of God

In these verses, we are encouraged to praise God not only for His goodness, but also for His greatness. The psalmist shows us how awesome God is, both by teaching the truth about Him and by giving examples of His mighty works in nature and in history. God’s greatness should fill us with respect and wonder, and remind us that He alone is worthy of all praise.

v. 5: The psalmist boldly says, For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods . He is completely sure of God’s greatness, not just because of what he has seen, but because he believes what God has revealed. No other so-called god can compare to the Lord.

v. 6: The psalmist explains why God is so great: Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places . God can do anything He wants, anywhere. No one can stop Him or question His actions. His power reaches everywhere—in the sky, on the land, and even in the deepest oceans.

v. 7: He gives examples from nature: He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning for the rain; he brings the wind out of his treasuries . God controls the weather—He lifts up the mist, sends down rain, creates lightning, and brings the winds. All these amazing things happen because of His power (Psalm 19:6; 1 Kings 18:38 ^b).

v. 8: The psalmist remembers how God showed His power in history: He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast . God judged Egypt with many miracles, forcing Pharaoh to let Israel go. God’s people were safe, but their enemies were punished.

v. 9: He continues, He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants . These miracles were proof of God’s greatness and His special care for Israel.

v. 10: The psalmist also remembers how God helped Israel take the land of Canaan: He defeated many nations and killed mighty kings . Even powerful people could not stand against God’s will.

v. 11: He names some of these kings: Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan . God removed every obstacle so His people could have the land He promised.

v. 12: God gave their land as a gift: And gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel his people . This was a great blessing from God, fulfilling His promise to the ancestors of Israel.

v. 13: The psalmist praises God’s eternal glory: Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your memorial, O Lord, through all generations . God’s fame and the memory of His works will never end (Exodus 3:15; Ecclesiastes 3:14 ^c).

v. 14: Finally, the psalmist says, For the Lord will judge his people, and he will have compassion on his servants . God will always defend and care for His people, even when they face trouble. He will show mercy and make things right (Deuteronomy 32:36 ^d).

An Invitation to Praise

These verses warn God’s people against idolatry and encourage them to worship the true God with sincere hearts. The psalmist explains how foolish it is to trust in idols, which are only man-made objects with no real power. In contrast, he calls everyone who knows the Lord to praise Him, because He is near to His people and worthy of all honor.

v. 15: The psalmist points out that the idols of the nations are just silver and gold, made by human hands . These so-called gods have no real power, because people made them. If people create their own gods, those gods cannot help them or give them anything in return.

v. 16: He continues, saying these idols have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see . They look like living things, but they cannot do anything—not even the simplest acts of life.

v. 17: The idols also have ears but cannot hear, and there is no breath in their mouths . They are completely lifeless, so it is foolish to expect any help from them.

v. 18: Those who make and trust in idols become like them—spiritually dull and senseless . Worshipping lifeless things makes people spiritually dead, but worshipping the living God makes us wise and alive.

v. 19: The psalmist calls all God’s people to praise Him: Bless the Lord, O house of Israel; bless the Lord, O house of Aaron . Everyone in Israel, especially the priests, should praise God for who He is.

v. 20: He adds, Bless the Lord, O house of Levi; you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord . Not only the priests and Levites, but all who respect and honor God, are called to praise Him.

v. 21: The psalm ends with a final call: Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise the Lord (Psalm 135:21 ^e). God’s people should praise Him together, because He lives among them and is always near. His presence in His church is a reason for constant thanksgiving and joyful praise.