In this psalm, the psalmist simply encourages everyone to praise God because of His creative power. When the psalmist compares the LORD with those who make and worship idols, there is no comparison; God is far greater.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm, and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why was it written?
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
Although the NIV offers no heading, the KJV tells us that this psalm was used to encourage God’s people to praise God for His mercy.
The psalmist begins by encouraging everyone to praise the LORD and to praise His Name, Psalm 135:1. They encourage the priests, God’s servants, those who serve and minister the LORD in His house, Psalm 135:2, that is, the temple, Psalm 134:1, and in the courts of God’s house, Psalm 135:2 / 2 Chronicles 4:9 / Matthew 21:12.
Those who served in the temple were to lift their voices in praise to God, Psalm 135:3. They proclaimed God’s goodness, Psalm 135:3 / Psalm 73:1 / Psalm 143:10 / Mark 10:18, and sang praises to God’s Name, which they found pleasant, Psalm 135:3. God’s Name is gracious, and so, brings peace of mind to those who respond to His existence.
The LORD chose Jacob, Psalm 135:4, that is, Israel, to be His own treasured possession, Psalm 135:4. In other words, Israel was a chosen people of God, and so, God’s prized possession among the nations, Exodus 19:5 / Deuteronomy 7:7-8 / Deuteronomy 32:9 / 1 Kings 8:53. They were chosen with the purpose of bringing Jesus, the Messiah into the world, Genesis 12:3 / Genesis 18:18 / Genesis 22:18 / Genesis 26:4.
The psalmist declares that the LORD, Psalm 135:5, that is, Yahweh, the Lord, Psalm 135:5, that is, Adonai, is greater than any manmade idol, Psalm 135:5. These ‘gods’ obviously didn’t exist but came from the imagination of men.
The LORD’s power is seen in that He can do whatever He pleases in the heavens, earth, and the seas, Psalm 135:6. In other words, nothing is too great for Him.
The LORD has the power to make the clouds rise from the end of the earth, Psalm 135:7 / Job 26:8 / Job 38:25-28. He has the power to send lightning with the rain, Psalm 135:7 / Job 28:26, and the power to control the wind, Psalm 135:7 / Job 38:22. In other words, the LORD should be praised because His power is clearly seen in creation, Psalm 8 / Romans 1:20.
The psalmist now tells us that God’s power was also seen when He delivered Israel from Egypt. It was God Himself who struck down the firstborn of the people and the animals, Psalm 135:8 / Exodus 11:5. It was God who sent signs and wonders to Egypt, Psalm 135:9, that is, Pharaoh and his servants witnessed God’s power in the plagues He sent, Psalm 105:27-36.
After being delivered from Egypt, the LORD’s power was seen in the way He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings, Psalm 135:10. It was Sihon, king of the Amorites and Og, king of Canaan, who attacked God’s people, Psalm 135:11 / Numbers 21:21-35 / Deuteronomy 3:11.
Because the Amorites, and those of Bashan, rose up against God’s chosen possession of people, the land of these nations were given to Israel, Psalm 135:12.
Because of the greatness of the LORD, the psalmist declares that His Name will endure forever, and His reputation will go on from one generation to the next, Psalm 135:13.
It’s the LORD who will vindicate, Psalm 135:14, that is, judge His people, which is good news because this means that God is for them, not against them, Psalm 135:14 / Deuteronomy 32:36 / Romans 8:31.
After speaking about the greatness of the LORD, the psalmist now goes on to speak of the foolishness of idolatry. These manmade idols, which are made from silver and gold, Psalm 135:15, represented those who rebelled against God, Psalm 115:4-8.
The psalmist mocks the idols by telling us they have mouths but can’t speak, Psalm 135:16; they have eyes but can’t see, Psalm 135:16; they have ears but can’t hear, Psalm 135:17, and there is no breath in their mouths, Psalm 135:17.
Because people worshipped these idols, the people became evil and turned from God, Isaiah 44:9, and as a result, God gave them over to the things they made up in their imagination, Romans 1:18-32. As in most cases of those who worship idols, they begin to behave as their ‘gods’, they do whatever they like, Psalm 135:18.
The psalmist now encourages Israel to praise the LORD, which includes the house of Aaron and the house of Levi, who were the spiritual leaders of God’s people and all who fear Him, Psalm 135:19-21.
The psalmist reminds Israel that God’s praise isn’t limited to Zion, Psalm 135:21, that is, Jerusalem, despite God dwelling there, Psalm 135:21. When compared to these manmade idols, it’s only God, because of His greatness and power, who is worthy to be praised. This is why the psalmist encourages everyone to praise the LORD, Psalm 135:21, with their final words, just like they began.
The psalmist declared that all should praise the LORD because of His greatness and power, and as Christians, we too have many reasons to praise the LORD.
1. We should praise the LORD because He commands us to praise Him, Psalm 150:6 / Psalm 100:4 / Hebrews 10:19.
2. We should praise the LORD because our praise encourages us to keep serving Him, Psalm 17:5-6.
3. We should praise the LORD because when we praise Him, we focus on Him and not our troubles, Isaiah 61:3.
4. We should praise the LORD because He and He alone is worthy of our praise, 1 Chronicles 16:34 / Revelation 5:12.
5. We should praise the LORD because He saved us, 1 Peter 1:3-5.