Psalms

Psalms 135: Praise the LORD above powerless idols

Begin in prayer

Before we hear what the living Lord does and what idols cannot do, let us examine the things we trust. Ask God to lead us to Jesus and give us praise shaped by His goodness and rule.

that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh himself is God. There is no one else.

1 Kings 8:60

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the good Lord rules all things, judges and has compassion, and deserves praise above powerless idols. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Lord's servants are called to praise His good name because He chose Israel as His own possession. His greatness reaches heaven, earth and sea, where He does whatever pleases Him and governs clouds, lightning and wind. He struck Egypt's firstborn, both people and animals, sent wonders against Pharaoh and defeated mighty kings including Sihon and Og. Their land became Israel's heritage. His name lasts through all generations, and He will judge His people and have compassion on His servants. The nations' handmade idols cannot speak, see, hear or breathe, and those trusting them will become like them. Israel, Aaron's house, Levi's house and everyone who fears the Lord are called to praise Him from Zion.

As you read Psalms 135, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The good LORD rules all things, judges and has compassion on His people, and deserves praise above lifeless idols.

God's goodness and His choice of Israel give His servants reason to sing. His pleasure governs heaven, earth, sea and weather, placing every storm beneath His active rule. God struck Egypt's firstborn people and animals, then killed mighty kings and gave Israel their land. Sihon and Og are named so that remembered judgment and the people's inheritance remain concrete. God's lasting name gives later generations the same Lord to know. His promised judgment of His people stands beside compassion for His servants, keeping His righteousness and care together. The idols' mouths, eyes and ears cannot do the living work they appear equipped to perform. Those trusting such gods will share their helplessness, so the whole people are called back to praise the Lord who lives and acts.

How does Psalm 135 show us that the good LORD rules all things, judges and has compassion on His people, and deserves praise above lifeless idols?

The good LORD rules heaven, earth and every storm according to His pleasure.

God chose Israel for His own possession. His greatness reaches every place, and He does whatever pleases Him. Clouds, lightning and wind are under His command.

The LORD's remembered judgments and lasting compassion give His people reason to praise.

He struck Egypt's firstborn and defeated the kings whose land became Israel's heritage. Sihon and Og are named among those kings. His name endures, and He will judge His people and have compassion on His servants.

The living LORD deserves trust and praise above powerless handmade gods.

The idols have mouths, eyes and ears that cannot speak, see or hear. They have no breath. Those making and trusting them become like them, while God's people are called to praise the Lord.

Memorise

Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

Psalm 135:13

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what powerless thing am I trusting instead of the living Lord Jesus?

The song says of idols, “neither is there any breath in their mouths.” The Lord who governs storms and defeats kings lives and acts. His people are called to praise the God who judges and has compassion.

Our misplaced trust and disobedience stand before that righteous Judge. The living Son took the death His people deserved, freeing them from condemnation before the righteous Judge whom their false trust had dishonoured. He rose from the dead. His finished sacrifice supplies everything needed for their forgiveness, giving guilty people a sure welcome with the living God.

Turn from false trust and put your faith in Jesus. Forgiveness is freely given to each person who comes to Him in faith. Ask Him to expose the things you have treated as your security and give you thankful trust in His rule. Those who belong to Him can praise the Lord whose name will outlast every handmade god.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the living Lord rules the world and judges evil, while the idols people trust cannot help. Verses 8 to 12 recall Egypt's firstborn and defeated kings, keeping the cost of judgment within the remembered rescue. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus. Growing up in a Christian home cannot save them.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Praise the living Lord for His rule, righteous judgment and compassion, and ask for freedom from false trust. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

John 5:36

Living Lord, You rule every storm and Your name endures through every generation. Please forgive our false trust and bring us to Jesus for the mercy His completed sacrifice provides. Teach our children to fear Your judgments and rejoice in Your compassion. Free Your people from idols and make our family ready to praise Your good name. Amen.