Psalms 135:5-6
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes not just God's greatness, but our intimate knowledge of it ("I know"). This personal, experienced understanding is presented as a powerful reason to praise, especially when contrasted with the ignorance or doubt of those who worship lesser deities.
This psalm is an invitation and exhortation to praise God, and verse 5 provides the first reason why: God's immense greatness. It contrasts the Lord's supremacy with all other so-called gods, setting the stage for the following verses which will detail His powerful works in creation and history, demonstrating His might above any idol or false deity.
The Psalmist doesn't just state God is great; he declares, 'For I know...' What's the difference, and why does it matter for us?
The verse opens with a powerful declaration of personal conviction: 'For I know that the LORD is great.' This isn't a casual observation or a hopeful guess. It's a deep-seated certainty born from experience and revelation.
The world is full of competing claims to ultimate authority. How does this ancient verse speak to our modern landscape of 'gods'?
The verse boldly proclaims that 'our Lord is above all gods.' This isn't just a statement against the idols of the ancient Near East; it has profound implications for us today.
Understand the original words
gadol · Hebrew Adjective
Denotes God’s vastness, majesty, power, and superiority. He is incomparable in authority and sovereign over all creation.
Adonai · Hebrew Noun
A title indicating authority, mastery, and ownership. When applied to God, it acknowledges His supreme reign over all existence.
elohim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to any power, entity, or object worshipped as divine. The Bible asserts that while these exist in the minds of worshippers or as spiritual powers, they are nothing compared to the one true Creator God.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His eternal self-existence and His faithfulness to His people. It signifies the One who reveals Himself and enters into a relationship with humanity.
This psalm was likely composed or finalized during or after the Babylonian exile, a period when Israel faced the overwhelming power of foreign empires and their gods. The declaration that 'the LORD is great... above all gods' was not just theological truth, but a vital affirmation of identity and hope in a context of profound national crisis and spiritual challenge.
c. 9th-8th century BC
Rise of Assyrian and Babylonian Empires
Powerful empires in Mesopotamia exerted significant political and religious influence over the surrounding regions, often imposing their own deities and practices. This context highlights the 'gods' the psalm contrasts with the LORD.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Critiques of Idolatry
Prophets like Isaiah and Micah fiercely denounced the worship of idols and foreign gods, emphasizing the LORD's unique sovereignty. This era saw strong theological arguments for the LORD's supremacy.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian conquest and deportation of the northern tribes served as a stark warning about the consequences of straying from the LORD. It reinforced the belief that the LORD's power was over other nations and their gods.
586 BC— this verse
Babylonian Exile of Judah
This passage directly parallels Psalm 135:5, emphasizing that our God is in the heavens and does whatever he pleases, reinforcing the Lord's supreme power and sovereignty above all other 'gods'.
Exodus 18:11This verse speaks of the Lord being 'greater than all gods,' specifically in contrast to the gods of the Egyptians, highlighting the divine power demonstrated in Israel's deliverance.
Isaiah 40:25-26This passage powerfully declares that God is incomparable, likening Him to no one, and describing His creation of the stars as evidence of His immense power and greatness, far surpassing any earthly or imagined deity.
Jeremiah 10:10-12Here, Jeremiah explicitly states that the Lord is the living God and the everlasting King, and that His kingdom was made to tremble because He alone made the heavens and the earth, directly refuting the power of false gods.
clarkePsalms 135:5: "For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods."
The Lord is great - Unlimited in his power: another reason. Is above all gods - Every class of being, whether idolized or not; because he is the Fountain of existence. This is a fifth reason.
poolePsalms 135:5: "For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods."
Above all that are called gods, or worshipped as gods by the heathen people. And therefore seeing they commonly praise and extol their idols, it becometh you not to be silent as to the praises of your God.
The verse emphasizes not just God's greatness, but our intimate knowledge of it ("I know"). This personal, experienced understanding is presented as a powerful reason to praise, especially when contrasted with the ignorance or doubt of those who worship lesser deities.
This psalm is an invitation and exhortation to praise God, and verse 5 provides the first reason why: God's immense greatness. It contrasts the Lord's supremacy with all other so-called gods, setting the stage for the following verses which will detail His powerful works in creation and history, demonstrating His might above any idol or false deity.
This psalm is an invitation and exhortation to praise God, and verse 5 provides the first reason why: God's immense greatness. It contrasts the Lord's supremacy with all other so-called gods, setting the stage for the following verses which will detail His powerful works in creation and history, demonstrating His might above any idol or false deity.
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shamayim · Hebrew Noun
The vast expanse above the earth, often viewed as the dwelling place of God’s glory and the center of His sovereign rule over creation. It signifies the spiritual realm that transcends the physical limitations of the earth.
The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judeans to Babylon presented a profound challenge to their faith. During this time, the concept of the LORD's greatness and unique position was central to maintaining hope and identity.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon and subsequent decree allowing exiles to return to their homelands offered a dramatic demonstration of the LORD's influence over world empires.
"For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." — The verse emphasizes not just God's greatness, but our intimate knowledge of it ("I know"). This personal, experienced understanding is presented as a powerful reason to praise, especially when con…
