Bible Commentaries
Psalms 135

Verses 1-3

1. Introductory call to praise 135:1-3

This psalm begins and ends with, "Praise the Lord" (Hallelujah; cf. Psalms 104:35; Psalms 113:1; et al.). The call goes out in Psalms 135:3 again. The priests in particular should praise Him because He is good and because praise is pleasant (lovely).

Verses 1-21

Psalms 135

This psalm of descriptive praise lauds God for His greatness and for blessing His people. Like Psalms 134, it calls on the priests to praise the Lord.

"The status of Psalms 135, 136 in relation to the Great Hallel psalms . . . in ancient Judaism is not clear. Some Jewish authorities include Psalms 135, 136 as a part of the collection of Psalms 120-136, whereas others limit the Great Hallel psalms to 135-136, or even to Psalms 136 alone. Like the Songs of Ascents, Psalms 135 is related to one of the great feasts; but it is far from clear at which feast it was sung." [Note: Ibid., pp. 818-19.]

"Every verse of this psalm either echoes, quotes or is quoted by some other part of Scripture." [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 455.]

Verses 4-7

The sovereignty of God is what called forth the poet’s praise in this psalm. The Lord chose Israel as His special treasure (cf. Deuteronomy 7:6). He is also greater than all the pagan gods because He does whatever pleases Him (cf. Psalms 115:3). This is obvious in His control of nature.

Verses 4-18

2. The cause for praise 135:4-18

Verses 8-12

God’s sovereignty is also clear from His control over Israel’s history. He sent the plagues on Egypt, even smiting Pharaoh’s first-born. He also defeated many kings and subdued many nations to give Israel the Promised Land. Notable among these kings were Sihon and Og (Numbers 21).

Verses 13-14

The everlasting Lord would continue to vindicate His people in His sovereignty because of His compassion.

Verses 15-18

In contrast to Israel’s sovereign God, the idols of the nations are impotent (cf. Psalms 115:4-8). Psalms 135:15-18 illustrate Psalms 135:5 as Psalms 135:8-12 prove Psalms 135:4.

Verses 19-21

3. Concluding call to praise 135:19-21

The psalm closes as it opened: with a call to God’s people to praise Him. Particularly from Zion: the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, and the godly should praise the Lord who dwells in Jerusalem.

All God’s servants should praise Him for His sovereignty as He demonstrates it in nature and history. Truly there is no other God like Him.