Psalm 135: Praise the Name of the Lord
Best for: Worship services, praising God's sovereignty
Psalm 135 ("Praise the Name of the Lord") is a praise psalm best read for worship services, praising god's sovereignty. Psalm 135 calls servants standing in God's house to praise His name — for the Lord is good and it is pleasant. God does whatever He pleases in heaven, earth, and seas.
Overview
Psalm 135 calls servants standing in God's house to praise His name — for the Lord is good and it is pleasant. God does whatever He pleases in heaven, earth, and seas. The psalm recounts His wonders in Egypt and victories over kings, then mocks idols of silver and gold.
It closes with a cascade of blessings from all of Israel's priestly and worship leaders.
Key Verses
"Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant."— Psalm 135:3 (KJV)
"Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places."— Psalm 135:6 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
God does whatever pleases Him — in heaven, earth, and seas. That's not arbitrary power; it's sovereign freedom. The same God who controls nature chose to love you. Praise His name.
Historical Context
A praise hymn drawing from multiple earlier psalms and Exodus narratives. It directly confronts idolatry: 'The idols of the nations are silver and gold' contrasted with 'Whatever the Lord pleases, He does.' The psalm functions as a comprehensive call for all temple servants to praise.
How to Apply This Today
God does 'whatever pleases Him' in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the depths. This isn't arbitrary power—it's sovereign goodness. When you can't understand God's ways, trust His character. A God who delivers slaves, defeats tyrants, and gives inheritances to the helpless is a God whose pleasure is always good.
🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 135
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! For I know that the Lord is great. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He struck the firstborn of Egypt and gave their land as a heritage. Your name, O Lord, endures forever. Praise the Lord! Amen.
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Read devotionalFrequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 135 about?
Psalm 135 calls servants standing in God's house to praise His name — for the Lord is good and it is pleasant. God does whatever He pleases in heaven, earth, and seas. The psalm recounts His wonders in Egypt and victories over kings, then mocks idols of silver and gold. It closes with a cascade of blessings from all of Israel's priestly and worship leaders.
What does Psalm 135 teach us?
God does whatever pleases Him — in heaven, earth, and seas. That's not arbitrary power; it's sovereign freedom. The same God who controls nature chose to love you. Praise His name.
What are the key themes of Psalm 135?
The key themes of Psalm 135 include: Praise, God's Sovereignty, Anti-Idolatry, Blessing.
When should I read Psalm 135?
Psalm 135 is especially meaningful for: Worship services, praising God's sovereignty. The overall mood is exuberant, reverent.
How can I apply Psalm 135 to my life?
God does 'whatever pleases Him' in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the depths. This isn't arbitrary power—it's sovereign goodness. When you can't understand God's ways, trust His character. A God who delivers slaves, defeats tyrants, and gives inheritances to the helpless is a God whose pleasure is always good.
Continue Studying Themes from Psalm 135
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Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson • 1758