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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 135

Psalm 135 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

PraiseKingshipCreation
Old Testament

Psalm 135

1Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD’s name! Praise him, you servants of the LORD,

2you who stand in the LORD’s house, in the courts of our God’s house.

3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

4For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.

5For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

6Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

7He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.

8He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.

9He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.

10He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—

11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—

12and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

13Your name, LORD, endures forever; your renown, LORD, throughout all generations.

14For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants.

15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

16They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.

17They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.

19House of Israel, praise the LORD! House of Aaron, praise the LORD!

20House of Levi, praise the LORD! You who fear the LORD, praise the LORD!

21Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 135

Psalm 135 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book V (Psalms 107–150). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Praise, Kingship, Creation. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 135

Psalm 135 contains 21 verses and about 301 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD’s name! Praise him, you servants of the LORD,” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 21 closes: “Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include praise, house, name, servants, israel, can’t. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 135

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 135:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes praise, with related themes of Praise, Kingship, Creation. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

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