Psalm 135:1-21

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• God is both good and great. He does as he pleases - consistent with his good nature - in heaven and on earth and in the seas. (See comment below.)

• Contrast this with the worthless dead idols of the pagans!

Details and/or Comments

• When God "does as he pleases," he does only what is consistent with his nature and purpose. He does not do things impulsively and without basis, or contradictory to his nature.

• Two examples of God doing what he pleases: 1) the display of his power in nature, and 2) his righteous judgment of nations.

Scripture

Psalm 135:1-21

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Psa 135:1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, Psa 135:2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of our God's house.	A call to praise. A command to praise.
Psa 135:3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. Psa 135:4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.	Why praise God? Because he is good! And also because he has chosen a special people for himself. Under the Old Covenant, this referred to Israel (Jacob). Today, under the New Covenant, it includes anyone who puts his trust in God. Worship The Goodness of God
Psa 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods. Psa 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps; Psa 135:7 who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;	He is also great in all ways, though the following verses emphasize the greatness of his power and might. The Great God does as he pleases (anything consistent with his nature and purpose); and he does it anywhere and everywhere in creation. The Greatness of God Omnipotence - the greatness of God's power, as absolute ruler over all. (Contrast this with the powerless idols - "gods" - of the nations - see below.) Example in nature – the powerful thunderstorm. Thunderstorm Providence - the way he does it.
Psa 135:8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal; Psa 135:9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants; Psa 135:10 who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings, Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, Psa 135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.	Examples among the nations – God's judgments on Egypt and on the wicked nations in Canaan. Miraculous Events - in Egypt. Destruction of Wicked Nations - in Canaan.
Psa 135:13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations. Psa 135:14 For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.	God – his "name" (which represents everything that he is, his fame, his reputation) - will be forever acknowledged by all people. The Concept of "Name" "Judging" refers to any aspect of ruling over them, including protecting them, vindicating them, punishing their enemies, etc. (It is not a synonym for "condemning"!) The focus here is on those who are "his servants," not on those who, in Israel, rebelled and eventually experienced the "negative" aspect of being judged. God's Judgment (Rule) Over His People
Psa 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they can't speak. They have eyes, but they can't see. Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they can't hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths. Psa 135:18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.	(A striking contrast to Yahweh, who is both good and great.) The idols of the pagans are human inventions, and totally dead - and so are those who worship them. Idols Idolatry
Psa 135:19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh! Psa 135:20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh! Psa 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!	Therefore... Let all God's people praise him!

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.