Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 135

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

The names Jacob and Israel represent all twelve tribes. The Lord loves his chosen people. They are his treasure among all the world's kingdoms (Exodus 19:5–6).

The Lord is greater than any real or imagined supernatural being (see Psalms 95:3–5; 115:4–8).

• God has complete authority and power over the whole created order. God does whatever pleases him.

• The phrase in the heavens and on the earth refers to all of creation.

The psalmist tells of God’s complete power and authority over the weather (Psalms 29; 77:17–18; 78:26; 104:4; 147:8–9; 148:5–6).

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

• The signs and wonders refer to the ten plagues (see Exodus 7–11; Deuteronomy 4:34; Nehemiah 9:10).

The Lord had complete authority and power over the exodus and the conquest of the promised land.

God’s name and character are very different from idols.

Idols lead people to think wrongly because they are only things humans make. They cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe (Isaiah 41:22–24; 44:9, 18; Romans 1:21–23).

This entire section is repeated in Psalm 115:4–11.

The groups mentioned here formed the covenant community (see Psalm 115:9–11).