American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Psalm 135
1
Praise you the LORD. Praise you the name of the LORD; praise him, O you servants of the LORD.
2
You that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises to his name; for it is pleasant.
4
For the LORD has chosen Jacob to himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6
Whatever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7
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.
8
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9
Who sent tokens and wonders into the middle of you, O Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.
10
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12
And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage to Israel his people.
13
Your name, O LORD, endures for ever; and your memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14
For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18
They that make them are like to them: so is every one that trusts in them.
19
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: you that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwells at Jerusalem. Praise you the LORD.
Summary of Psalm 135
Psalm 135 is a large hymn of praise that remembers God's character, His power over creation, His actions in Israel's history, and His superiority over idols. The chapter begins with repeated calls for God's servants to praise Him. Those who serve in the LORD's house and those who worship in His courts are reminded that praising God should be a central part of their lives.
The psalm explains that the LORD deserves praise because He is good and because His name is worthy of honor. It then reminds Israel that God chose Jacob and Israel as His special people. Their relationship with God is not presented as something accidental. It is part of the covenant history that defines Israel's identity.
The writer then emphasizes God's absolute authority. Whatever the LORD desires, He is able to accomplish in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the deepest places. The psalm even uses the weather as evidence of God's power. Clouds, rain, lightning, and wind are all presented as being under His control.
The focus then turns to Israel's history. The psalm remembers the Exodus from Egypt, especially God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. It then recalls God's defeat of powerful kings, including Sihon and Og, and His giving of their lands to Israel as an inheritance.
These historical memories are important because they remind Israel that God has already demonstrated His power. The nation does not need to wonder whether the LORD is capable of helping His people. His past actions provide evidence of His strength and faithfulness.
The psalm then contrasts the living LORD with the idols of other nations. These idols may be made from valuable silver and gold, but they are still human-made objects. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear. They cannot respond to prayers or rescue those who depend on them.
The warning is especially strong: those who make and trust in idols will become like them. The message is that people become shaped by whatever they choose to trust. If they trust something lifeless and powerless, they will ultimately experience the emptiness of that choice.
The final section returns to praise. Israel is called to bless the LORD, followed by the house of Aaron, the Levites, and all those who worship Him in Zion.
Overall, Psalm 135 is a powerful reminder that the LORD is the living and sovereign God who controls creation, acts in history, protects His people, and deserves worship. The chapter encourages Israel to remember what God has already done and to reject every substitute for Him. It ends where it began—with a call to praise the LORD.
The psalm explains that the LORD deserves praise because He is good and because His name is worthy of honor. It then reminds Israel that God chose Jacob and Israel as His special people. Their relationship with God is not presented as something accidental. It is part of the covenant history that defines Israel's identity.
The writer then emphasizes God's absolute authority. Whatever the LORD desires, He is able to accomplish in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the deepest places. The psalm even uses the weather as evidence of God's power. Clouds, rain, lightning, and wind are all presented as being under His control.
The focus then turns to Israel's history. The psalm remembers the Exodus from Egypt, especially God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. It then recalls God's defeat of powerful kings, including Sihon and Og, and His giving of their lands to Israel as an inheritance.
These historical memories are important because they remind Israel that God has already demonstrated His power. The nation does not need to wonder whether the LORD is capable of helping His people. His past actions provide evidence of His strength and faithfulness.
The psalm then contrasts the living LORD with the idols of other nations. These idols may be made from valuable silver and gold, but they are still human-made objects. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear. They cannot respond to prayers or rescue those who depend on them.
The warning is especially strong: those who make and trust in idols will become like them. The message is that people become shaped by whatever they choose to trust. If they trust something lifeless and powerless, they will ultimately experience the emptiness of that choice.
The final section returns to praise. Israel is called to bless the LORD, followed by the house of Aaron, the Levites, and all those who worship Him in Zion.
Overall, Psalm 135 is a powerful reminder that the LORD is the living and sovereign God who controls creation, acts in history, protects His people, and deserves worship. The chapter encourages Israel to remember what God has already done and to reject every substitute for Him. It ends where it began—with a call to praise the LORD.