God’s Saving Word: Praise and Thanksgiving

Introduction

Psalm 135: Today’s reading is a psalm in praise of God’s goodness and kindness. The psalm recalls God’s saving acts in Israel’s history, includes an attack on idolatry, and concludes with a call to praise the LORD.

Scripture Reading

A Hymn of Praise

135 Praise the Lord!

Praise his name, you servants of the Lord,
2     who stand in the Lord’s house,
    in the Temple of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, because he is good;
    sing praises to his name, because he is kind.[a]
4 He chose Jacob for himself,
    the people of Israel for his own.

5 I know that our Lord is great,
    greater than all the gods.
6 He does whatever he wishes
    in heaven and on earth,
    in the seas and in the depths below.
7 He brings storm clouds from the ends of the earth;
    he makes lightning for the storms,
    and he brings out the wind from his storeroom.

8 In Egypt he killed all the first-born
    of people and animals alike.
9 There he performed miracles and wonders
    to punish the king and all his officials.
10 He destroyed many nations
    and killed powerful kings:
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    Og, king of Bashan,
    and all the kings in Canaan.
12 He gave their lands to his people;
    he gave them to Israel.

13 Lord, you will always be proclaimed as God;
    all generations will remember you.
14 The Lord will defend his people;
    he will take pity on his servants.

15 The gods of the nations are made of silver and gold;
    they are formed by human hands.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    and eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear;
    they are not even able to breathe.
18 May all who made them and who trust in them
    become[b] like the idols they have made!

19 Praise the Lord, people of Israel;
    praise him, you priests of God!
20 Praise the Lord, you Levites;
    praise him, all you that worship him!
21 Praise the Lord in Zion,
    in Jerusalem, his home.

Praise the Lord!

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 135:3

Praise the LORD, because he is good; sing praises to his name because he is kind.

Reflect

Verses 8-12 recall God’s saving acts in Israel’s history. These accounts can be found in Exodus 12:29-32; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:26—3:11. God’s goodness is a recurring theme in many of the psalms of praise. How have you experienced God’s goodness and kindness?

Pray

I praise you, Lord God, because you are good; I sing praises to your name because you are kind. Thank you, Lord God, for your constant love and care. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 136: A hymn of thanksgiving.