Psalm 135: September 27—God is great

Sep 10, 2009
By MARK A. RATHEL

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

The Psalms aid the believer in worship. The Psalms instruct believers in the method, purpose, reason, and consequences of ascribing worth to the one true God. Many Bible scholars opine that the Jews utilized this psalm in conjunction with the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated God’s miraculous deliverance and protection during the wilderness wanderings of the Jews. Joy dominates the celebration of this festival.

What are the elements of dynamic worship according to Psalm 135?

First, dynamic worship exalts the goodness of God (135:1-4). Five times the unknown psalmist exhorts God’s people to praise the Lord.

The Psalm begins with the Hebrew command “Hallelujah,” a common expression for praise in Psalm 105-150. The term means, “to praise or boast (in) the Lord.” Worship is boasting in the Lord.

The Psalmist detailed three reasons “to boast in the Lord.” First, God is good. Second, He is delightful. The HCSB reads that singing praise is delightful. While I find singing praise delightful, I believe “He is delightful” is a better translation. Third, God elected or chose Jacob as His “treasured possession.”

Sometimes the value of an object does not depend upon the worth of the object; rather the worth of the object depends on the owner. The worth of the Israelites was not due to their status as a nation or a people. The people of Israel were a treasure because of the elective grace of God.

Second, dynamic worship rejoices in the majesty of God (135:5-7). The Psalmist emphatically claimed, “I know.”

A personal relationship is essential for authentic, biblical worship. Worship involves more than ritual. Worship is heart, not art.

The Psalmist’s heart celebrated God as the Mighty Creator. The Creation reveals God as a God of freedom and power able to accomplish His will.

Third, dynamic worship rehearses the historical deeds of God (135:8-14). Christians remember and rehearse the events associated with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Psalmist recalled three historical actions of God: the plagues of Egypt, the defeat of the nations, and the gift of the land as an inheritance to Israel.

As believers remember God’s mighty actions in history, they gain assurance about the present. The past instructs believers that the unchanging God always exercises compassion on His people (v. 13-14).

Fourth, dynamic worship contrasts with the worship of the world (135:15-18). Romans 1 reminds believers that the rejection of God does not lead to irreligion; the rejection of God leads to the multiplication of religion. Humans, created in the image of God, fashion idols in the image of man.

In the Psalmist’s day, idols possessed mouths, eyes, and ears like their makers. The Psalmist expressed this truth in a unique manner. “Those who make them are just like them.”

Further, idolaters become like that which they worship—spiritually blind, deaf, and lifeless. Contemporary idols lack physical construction, but humans erect idols in their minds opposed to the living God. The idols of the mind in our day are thought-systems like naturalism, relativism, and hedonism (pleasure).

Finally, dynamic worship exhibits the indwelling of God (Ps. 135:19-20). While the HCSB again commands praise, “bless the Lord” is a better translation.

“Bless” literally means “to bend the knee” or “to bow.” Biblical worship expresses itself in a posture of a bended knee in adoration. The Psalmist invited all Israel (anyone who reveres the Lord) to bend the knee.

The Lord dwells in Jerusalem, in the midst of the worship of His people. Jesus came as “Emmanuel,” or “God with us” to dwell within His followers.

Let all Christians worship the Lord with authentic, biblical worship!

Email this Article Print this page

Login ID:
Password:	Forgot password?