Bible Commentaries
Psalms 135

Verses 1-21

PSALM 135

The restored nation of Israel called upon to praise the Name of the Lord.

(vv. 1-3) Israel, delivered from all their enemies, and brought to the house of the Lord, are called to praise the goodness of the Lord, and the greatness of His Name.

(vv. 4-12) In the verses that follow the psalmist presents the different ways in which the goodness of the Lord, and the greatness of His Name, have been expressed.

First, the Lord in His sovereign goodness has chosen Israel (v. 4).

Second, the Lord is great above all the gods of the heathen, as set forth in His absolute supremacy over creation. Whatsoever He pleases, He has done in the sphere of creation. He directs all the forces of nature according to His power and pleasure (vv. 5-7).

Third, the Lord has redeemed His people from Egypt (vv. 8-9).

Lastly, the goodness of the Lord is seen in the deliverance of His people from all their enemies, and in bringing them into the land (vv. 10-12).

It will be noticed that in these verses, the deliverance from Egypt is immediately followed by the possession of the land. The wilderness journey is passed over in silence. Thus the psalm celebrates the goodness of the Lord, and the blessing into which He brings His people because of the goodness of His heart; rather than the failure of the people, and the way He takes with them in their wilderness wanderings because of the evil and unbelief of their hearts.

(vv. 13-14) The two verses that follow are cited from Exodus and Deuteronomy. The first, at the beginning of their history in Egypt, presents God in His enduring unchanging character as Jehovah - the ground of all blessing for Israel ( Exo_3:15 ). The other quotation, from the song sung by Moses just before the people entered the land, shows that when through their own folly their power is gone and there is none to help, the Lord will act on their behalf ( Deu_32:36 ).

(vv. 15-18) When the Lord acts on behalf of Israel, He will say, “Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted” ( Deu_32:37 ). Here we get Israel's answer as they pass judgment on the idols of the heathen, and all that put their trust in them.

(vv. 19-21) In view of the goodness and greatness of the Lord, as set forth in His ways with Israel, the whole house of Israel, with the priests and Levites, and all that fear the Lord, are called to bless the Lord out of Zion.