Praise The Lord

“Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; give praise, O servants of the LORD…” (Psalm 135:1)

Dear friend, come and sit with me while sipping a warm, comforting beverage and let this beautiful psalm of pure, exuberant praise inspire you today. Psalm 135 is like a heartfelt song around the family table—full of remembrance, wonder, and joyful declaration. It calls God’s people to lift their eyes from daily struggles and fix them on the greatness of the Lord who has been faithful through every generation.

The Call to Praise (vv. 1–3)

The psalm begins with an invitation that feels both urgent and tender: “Praise the LORD!” It is addressed to the servants of the Lord—those who stand in His house, in the courts of His temple. Today, that includes you and me as believers gathered in the household of God through Christ.

Why praise? Because “the LORD is good” and “it is pleasant” to sing praises to His name. Praise is not a cold duty; it is a delight. When we remember that God is good—not just powerful, but good—our hearts soften. In a world that can feel harsh and indifferent, we are invited into the pleasant presence of a Father who delights in our songs.

The God We Praise (vv. 4–7)

The psalmist then gives us reasons to praise—solid, historical, and cosmic reasons.

• He chose us: “For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession” (v. 4).
  This truth echoes into the New Testament. You, Christian, have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). You are not an accident or a random soul; you are His treasured possession. Let that sink in deeply today.
• He is sovereign over all: The psalm celebrates God’s greatness above all gods. He does “whatever he pleases” in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in the deeps (v. 6). He controls the weather, the seasons, and the boundaries of nations. Nothing is outside His kind and purposeful rule.

What comfort this brings when life feels chaotic! The same God who “makes the clouds rise” (v. 7) is watching over your life with fatherly care.

Remembering His Mighty Acts (vv. 8–12)

Now the psalm turns to sacred history—God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. He struck down the firstborn, sent signs and wonders, defeated great kings (Sihon and Og), and gave His people an inheritance.

For us as Christians, this history is not just Israel’s story; it is our spiritual ancestry. The God who brought His people out of slavery with a strong hand is the same God who sent His Son to deliver us from sin and death. The plagues on Egypt point forward to the Lamb whose blood causes the destroyer to pass over us. The conquest of Canaan foreshadows our inheritance in the new creation.

Every time we come to the Lord’s Table, we remember a greater Exodus accomplished at the cross. Praise rises naturally when we rehearse these acts of salvation.

The Foolishness of Idols (vv. 13–18)

In a striking contrast, the psalm mocks the lifeless idols of the nations: they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear. “Those who make them become like them” (v. 18).

This warning is gentle but urgent for us today. What “idols” do we sometimes trust—success, control, approval, comfort? They promise much but deliver nothing. Our God, however, is the living God who sees, hears, and speaks into our lives. Turn from anything that cannot love you back, and run again to the God who chose you.

The Blessing (vv. 19–21)

The psalm closes with a cascading blessing: House of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi, and all who fear the Lord—“Bless the LORD!”

From the highest priest to the newest believer, everyone who belongs to God is invited to join the chorus. And the blessing returns to Zion: “Blessed be the LORD from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem!”

In Christ, we are now the temple of the living God. His presence is not limited to a building—He dwells in us by His Spirit. Hallelujah!

A Prayer of Response

Lord Jesus, we praise Your holy name today. You are good, and Your steadfast love endures forever. Thank You for choosing us to be Yours. Thank You for rescuing us from slavery to sin through Your cross. Forgive us for trusting in lifeless things. Open our mouths to declare Your praise, and let our lives become a continual song of gratitude. We bless You, O Lord, who dwells among Your people. Amen.

Personal Reflection Questions

Take a few quiet moments with the Lord and journal or pray through these questions:

1. The Invitation to Praise: When was the last time you found praising God truly “pleasant”? What tends to rob you of the joy of praise in everyday life?
2. Being Chosen: How does the truth that God has deliberately chosen you (and calls you His treasured possession) affect the way you see yourself—especially on difficult or ordinary days?
3. God’s Sovereignty: Is there a situation in your life right now that feels out of control? How does Psalm 135:6 (“He does all that he pleases”) speak comfort or challenge into that area?
4. Remembering God’s Acts: Think about your own story. What personal “exodus” moment—when God delivered or provided for you—can you thank Him for today? How does it point you to the greater deliverance in Christ?
5. Idols vs. the Living God: What “lifeless” things (habits, worries, pursuits, or possessions) sometimes receive more trust or time from you than the Lord? What would turning from them look like this week?
6. Blessing the Lord: The psalm calls everyone—from leaders to ordinary believers—to bless the Lord. What is one practical way you can “bless the LORD” in your home, work, or church community in the coming days?
7. Overall Response: After reading and reflecting on Psalm 135, what is one fresh reason your heart wants to praise God right now?

May this psalm stir fresh affection in your heart today. The same God who parted seas and toppled kingdoms is still worthy of your highest praise. Sing to Him—even if it’s just a quiet whisper in your heart. He hears, He delights, and He is good.