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Psalms 135
A call to praise built almost entirely from other psalms and earlier scripture. The servants standing in the temple courts are urged to praise the LORD because he chose Jacob, rules the weather, and acted in history — striking Egypt's firstborn and defeating Sihon and Og. Midway it pivots to the idols of the nations: silver and gold with mouths that can't speak and eyes that can't see. Watch the sting in verse 18.
- 1
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD’s name! Praise him, you servants of the LORD,
- 2
you who stand in the LORD’s house, in the courts of our God’s house.
- 3
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
- 4
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
- 5
For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods.
- 6
Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
- 7
He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.
- 8
He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.
- 9
He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.
- 10
He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—
- 11
Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
- 12
and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.
- 13
Your name, LORD, endures forever; your renown, LORD, throughout all generations.
- 14
For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants.
- 15
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
- 16
They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.
- 17
They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.
- 18
Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.
- 19
House of Israel, praise the LORD! House of Aaron, praise the LORD!
- 20
House of Levi, praise the LORD! You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!
- 21
Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
The living God against dead idols
The contrast is the engine. The LORD does whatever he pleases in heaven, earth, and the seas (v. 6); the idols do nothing at all. Then comes the warning that those who make them become like them — as lifeless as their handiwork. The closing roll-call summons Israel, Aaron, and Levi to praise.
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