BOOK 19 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Psalms 135

Psalms book home•Chapter 135 of 150•21 verses

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Psalms 135 Overview

Temple servants and Israel are called to praise; the psalm rehearses God's power in creation, Egypt, the conquest, and His covenant name, then contrasts Him with lifeless idols.

PsalmsBook

135Chapter

21Verses

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Before you read Psalms 135

Coming from

Psalm 134 centered on night servants bless the lord, and the lord blesses from zion. Psalms is an anthology rather than a continuous chronological story, so the connection here is canonical and thematic.

In this chapter

Temple servants and Israel are called to praise; the psalm rehearses God's power in creation, Egypt, the conquest, and His covenant name, then contrasts Him with lifeless idols.

Leads into

Psalm 136 turns to every act of god is answered by “his mercy endureth for ever”, continuing the Psalter’s arranged movement without requiring that the two psalms describe consecutive historical events.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Psalm 135 belongs to Book V of the Psalter (Psalms 107–150). The psalm's election language is national/covenantal in context and does not mean Israelites earned God's favor by superiority.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Praise the sovereign LORD who chose Israel and shames idols.

Praise truth

In Psalm 135, praise responds to God’s character and deeds and draws the worshipper beyond self-preoccupation.

History truth

In Psalm 135, remembering salvation history is used to teach the present generation, not merely to preserve information.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Praise connection

Hebrews 13:15 speaks of offering to God the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips giving thanks to His name. This connection helps frame Psalm 135.

History connection

Deuteronomy 6:20-25 commands Israel to explain God’s saving acts to the next generation. This connection helps frame Psalm 135.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep praise in context

The praise practices in Psalm 135 show the breadth of Israel’s worship; not every listed physical expression becomes a universal church requirement.

Keep history in context

Psalm 135 retells history selectively for theological instruction; use the Torah and historical books for the fuller narrative details.

Read Psalms 135 watching for…

praise servants.

chosen Jacob.

whatsoever LORD pleased.

Egypt kings Sihon Og.

idols mouths eyes ears.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-4The servants of the LORD praise him because he has chosen Jacob for himself 5-14The LORD is great over creation and nations and will judge and repent himself concerning his servants 15-21The idols of the nations are powerless, and Israel is called to bless the LORD

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

STUDY THIS VERSE

Psalms 135:12

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