Psalm 134 was focused on the Levites, the professional worshippers; Psalm 135 is focused on the congregation. Make no mistake—all of us are compelled to employ worship and not just the professional worship leaders.
Every tongue is to confess his praise!
“Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God!” Psalm 135:1-2
All servants of the Lord are to stand in the house and courts of the Lord and lift their voices in praise. Verse three instructs us to praise him because he is good. Further, we sing his name because it is pleasant. The Lord chose Jacob, Israel, and his people. And he is great and is above every other would-be god.
“Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.” Psalm 135:6
The Lord our God is omnipotent. His power is impenetrable. He does whatever he chooses to do in heaven and upon the earth. Creation is his servant. Clouds rise, lightning strikes, and rain falls at his command.
He struck down the firstborn in Egypt. He performed signs and wonders against Pharoah. God had his way with Sihon, Og, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. He promised and gave their lands to his people.
“Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.” Psalm 135:13
Revel in the truth and the trust delivered by this simple verse. The name of the Lord endures forever. His name will never be removed or forgotten. His is an eternal name. Further, his renown will be known throughout all time. His name is not known or celebrated by all, but one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. Every knee and every tongue.
In that context, no matter what loss we face today, our God will exonerate us and pour out his compassion—his steadfast love—upon us.
“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.” Psalm 135:15-18
Defended and loved, we will realize in eternity that all who worship lesser gods are trusting in idols. Precious metals formed into idols are the work of humans alone. The idols may have mouths, but they do not speak. The idols may have eyes, but they do not see. The idols may have ears, but they do not hear. There is no life in idols made by human hands.
Worse, those who make idols are on a trajectory to become like their idols—spiritually, they are mute, blind, deaf, and simply dead.
“Idolatry is the folly of asking the gift to be a giver.” Dane C. Ortland, Deeper
Conversely, the houses of Israel, Aaron, and Levi should reserve their blessing for the Lord. They should not waste their time on idols. They should fear the Lord alone. Indeed, all who fear the Lord—the God who speaks, sees, hears, and lives—should bless his name.
The God of Zion who dwells in Jerusalem is blessed. As Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Indeed, praise the Lord! Let all who have breath reserve our praise for the Lord.
Ignore the idols of life and praise the renown of his name!
“Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 135:21
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