# Psalm 135 š: Praise the Lord Who Is Great
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 134]] | [[Psalm 136]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā Praise theĀ Lord.
Praise the name of theĀ Lord.
Offer praise, you servants of theĀ Lord,
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā who serveĀ in theĀ Lordās temple,
in the courts of the temple of our God.
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā Praise theĀ Lord, for theĀ LordĀ is good.
Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā Indeed,Ā theĀ LordĀ has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel to be his special possession.
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā Yes,Ā I know theĀ LordĀ is great,
and our Lord is superior to all gods.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā He does whatever he pleases
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all the ocean depths.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth,
makes lightning bolts accompany the rain,
and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
including both men and animals.
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā He performed awesome deedsĀ and acts of judgment
in your midst, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā He defeated many nations,
and killed mighty kingsā
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā He gave their land as an inheritance,
as an inheritance to Israel his people.
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā OĀ Lord, your name endures,
your reputation, OĀ Lord, lasts.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā For theĀ LordĀ vindicatesĀ his people,
and has compassion on his servants.
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā The nationsā idols are made of silver and gold;
they are man-made.
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā and ears, but cannot hear.
Indeed, they cannot breathe.
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā Those who make them will end upĀ like them,
as will everyone who trusts in them.
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā O familyĀ of Israel, praise theĀ Lord.
O family of Aaron, praise theĀ Lord.
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā O family of Levi, praise theĀ Lord.
You loyal followersĀ of theĀ Lord, praise theĀ Lord.
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ deserves praise in Zionā
he who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise theĀ Lord.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Psalm 135 begins and ends with "Praise the Lord" (Hallelujah).
2. Much of the psalm draws on earlier Scripture, weaving familiar lines into a new song.
3. Verses 15-18 nearly repeat Psalm 115:4-8 about the uselessness of idols.
4. "Special possession" (135:4) translates *segullah*, the same word God used of Israel at Sinai (Exodus 19:5).
5. Verse 7 closely matches Jeremiah 10:13 and 51:16 about God bringing clouds, lightning, and wind.
6. Verse 14 echoes the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:36.
7. Verse 13 echoes God's words at the burning bush about His name lasting forever (Exodus 3:15).
8. Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan (135:11), were defeated before Israel crossed the Jordan (Numbers 21:21-35).
9. The call to bless the Lord adds the house of Levi (135:20) to the groups named in Psalm 115.
10. Many see Psalm 135 as a companion to Psalm 136, which retells the same events with a refrain.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One who gave Himself to make us God's treasured possession (135:4). He redeemed us to purify for Himself a people for His own possession (Titus 2:14).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. God chose Israel as His treasured possession (135:4). How does knowing you are treasured by God change how you see yourself?
2. The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth (135:6). How does God's sovereignty bring you comfort?
3. Those who make idols become like them (135:18). What modern idols shape people into their own image?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 4: The Lord chose Jacob and Israel as His special possession.
- š verse 6: The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven, on earth, and in the seas.
- š verse 13: The Lord's name endures forever, and His reputation through all generations.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Titus 02#Verse 14.|Titus 2:14]] - A people for His own possession.
- š [[Exodus 19#Verse 05.|Exodus 19:5-6]] - Israel as God's treasured possession.
- š [[1 Peter 02#Verse 09.|1 Peter 2:9]] - A people belonging to God.
- š [[Psalm 115#Verse 04.|Psalm 115:4-8]] - Idols cannot see or hear.
- š [[Numbers 21#Verse 21.|Numbers 21:21-35]] - Sihon and Og are defeated.
## š Devotional Reflection
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š Internal Notes