"For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods."
Psalm 135:5
This psalm, 135, is one of the “Hallelujah Psalms.” The first and last word in the Hebrew text is “Hallelujah.” This was written as part of the Temple worship. It is calling God’s people to praise Him, and there are several reasons in this Psalm why God’s people should be praising Him. In verses 5-7, God’s glory is clearly seen through His creation (nature). In verses 8-14, God’s working with His people Israel is shown. And in verses 15-21, God’s supremacy over the “little g” imaginary gods, is described.
Let’s see why the Psalmist puts such confidence in the Lord.
“For I know.”
What remarkable words are these, “for I know.” There is a confidence, not in self but in the LORD. Job and Paul used these words to show their unwavering trust in God also.
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,” (Job 19:25)
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day,” (2 Timothy 1:12).
The psalmist is positive, “for I know,” with great conviction, God is great!
“That the LORD is great,”
As the psalmist is speaking to the greatness of God, he is saying that Jehovah is the highly exalted God over all His universe, He is the Sovereign who rules all. He is the self-sufficient One who needs no one and nothing. He alone is great, and He is to be worshipped by us as the Great God.
“And that our Lord is above all gods.”
This is not saying that our Lord is the best God among the many other gods. It is meaning that although fallen men make up their “imaginary gods,” none are real, not a single one is alive, and there is not one of them able to help the worshipper. Above all the imaginary gods of lost men, is Jehovah, the great exalted God.
Surely our God is great!