Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just saying God can do anything He wants; it emphasizes He does do precisely what pleases Him. This highlights that God's actions aren't random or reactive but stem from His sovereign will and perfect pleasure, encompassing every corner of His creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest abysses.
Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of the nations. The verses immediately before this one praise the Lord as great and above all gods, setting the stage for the assertion of His absolute power. Following this verse, the psalm continues to describe God's mighty acts, like bringing clouds, lightning, and wind, further emphasizing His unique control over creation and His role as the true God who acts for His people.
Ever feel like things are out of control? This verse reminds us that God's will is the ultimate driving force, in every realm.
This verse is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty. It means that God is not bound by any external force or limitation. Everything that happens, from the grandest cosmic event to the smallest detail, is either in accordance with His will or is actively willed by Him.
The Scope of His Power
This isn't a God who created the world and then stepped away. It's a God who is actively and powerfully engaged in His creation, doing precisely what He intends.
The gods of the nations had limits. But the Lord? He's in a league of His own. Let's explore why.
The context of Psalms 135 is to contrast the one true God, Jehovah, with the powerless idols of surrounding nations. The pagan gods were often depicted as having specific domains or limitations.
A Universal Reign
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Understand the original words
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.
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.
This passage echoes the absolute sovereignty of God in creation and governance, even over apparent 'evils' like darkness and disaster, underscoring that all stems from His will.
Daniel 4:35This verse directly states that God does as He pleases with all powers and inhabitants of heaven and earth, reinforcing the immense, unhindered authority presented in Psalms 135:6.
Ephesians 1:11This New Testament passage speaks of God working all things according to the counsel of His will, reflecting the same theme of divine purpose and control over creation that Psalms 135:6 highlights.
Matthew 10:29Jesus' words here, stating not even a sparrow falls without the Father's will, illustrate the granular level of God's control, reaching down to the smallest details within the vast domains mentioned in Psalms 135:6.
clarkePsalms 135:6: "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places."
Whatsoever the Lord pleased - All that he has done is right, and therefore it is pleasing in his sight. He is the author of all existence. Angels, men, spirits, the heavens, the earth, and all their contents, were made by him, and are under his control.
pulpitPsalms 135:6: "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places."
Verse 6. - Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he (comp. Psalm 115:3). God's power is only limited by his own attributes of truth and goodness. He cannot contradict his own reason, or his own moral qualities. Otherwise he can do anything and everything. In heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. This is intended as a complete division of space: (1) the heavens ab…
The verse isn't just saying God can do anything He wants; it emphasizes He does do precisely what pleases Him. This highlights that God's actions aren't random or reactive but stem from His sovereign will and perfect pleasure, encompassing every corner of His creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest abysses.
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of the nations. The verses immediately before this one praise the Lord as great and above all gods, setting the stage for the assertion of His absolute power. Following this verse, the psalm continues to describe God's mighty acts, like bringing clouds, lightning, and wind, further emphasizing His unique control over creation and His role as the true God who acts for His people.
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of the nations. The verses immediately before this one praise the Lord as great and above all gods, setting the stage for the assertion of His absolute power. Following this verse, the psalm continues to describe God's mighty acts, like bringing clouds, lightning, and wind, further emphasizing His unique control over creation and His role as the true God who acts for His people.
"Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." — The verse isn't just saying God can do anything He wants; it emphasizes He does do precisely what pleases Him. This highlights that God's actions aren't random or reactive but stem from His sover…
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Last reviewed October 2026