United Commentaries

Ps.135.1-21

God, the Creator and the Lord of history, “made heaven and earth” (134:3). He deserves praise because, unlike idols, he redeems his people.

Ps.135.4

The synonyms Jacob and Israel include all twelve tribes. The Lord cherishes his chosen people. They are his treasure out of all the kingdoms of the world (Exod 19:5-6).

Ps.135.5

The Lord is superior to any real or imagined supernatural being (see 95:3-5; 115:4-8).

Ps.135.6

God is sovereign over the whole created order—he does whatever pleases him him.

The phrase heaven and earth refers to all of creation.

Ps.135.7

The psalmist tells of God’s sovereignty over the weather (Pss 29; 77:17-18; 78:26; 104:4; 147:8-9; 148:5-6).

Ps.135.8-12

The Lord was sovereign over the Exodus and the conquest of the Promised Land.

Ps.135.8-11

In the tenth and culminating plague against Egypt, God destroyed the firstborn of each family.

The miraculous signs and wonders are the ten plagues (see Exod 7–11; Deut 4:34; Neh 9:10).

Ps.135.13-18

The Lord’s name and character stand in contrast to idols.

Ps.135.15-20

This entire section is repeated in 115:4-11.

Ps.135.15-18

Idols corrupt the thinking because they are merely things made by humans; they cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe (Isa 41:22-24; 44:9, 18; Rom 1:21-23).

Ps.135.19-21

The groups named here comprised the covenant community (see 115:9-11).