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Psalm 135 Psalm 135 is something of a cut-and-paste job, borrowing styles and sometimes even verses from other psalms. It is, obviously, a Hallelujah psalm, one of that group which begins and/or ends with the Hebrew word hallelujah, which, translated, means "Praise the Lord". The first of these was Psalm 105, and they then are sprinkled through the last third of the book of Psalms; the final five psalms are all Hallelujah psalms, increasing in "volume" and enthusiasm. Psalm 135 also has sarcasm, contrasting the power of the Lord with the powerlessness of idols. This is not unusual in other parts of the Bible; in fact, verses 15-18 are copied right out of Psalm 115. And we have seen the calls for various parts of the congregation to bless the Lord too, in other psalms.
What makes Psalm 135 unique among the psalms is its contrast of God's work in creation and in history (Presbyterians, that's "work of creation" and "works of providence"!) with the complete
uselessness of idols. They do nothing. Those who trust in them will become like them. They will do nothing. Nothing of value. Nothing that lasts.
The picture which comes to my mind here is vegging out in front of the TV screen, or computer screen. Just a few minutes ago I was browsing myspace videos, and I finally had to ask myself why I was wasting time with that instead of writing this devotional. I was doing nothing of value. And so I have to wonder if myspace surfing might be moving into idol and idle territory for me.
The chief sin, from which all others flow, according to the Bible is idolatry. (See Romans 1 and the first two commandments.) The main problem with human beings is that we worship the wrong things, not the Lord, as He has revealed Himself to us in scripture, but other things we perceive to be greater than ourselves. The insidious thing of fallen human nature is that we can even take good things, gifts from God which we once acknowledged as being from Him, and make them into idols as well. These can be people, relationships, talents, points of view, anything. One of the challenges of the Christian life is to clear out those idols, put them in their proper place, before they hurt us. (A great example is the gift and potential idol of money - I have found tithing and giving to other worthy causes a helpful discipline in keeping money in its place, to remind me which is the gift and which is the Giver, who is worthy of my trust.) Psalm 115, while mocking the literal idols of the Gentiles surrounding ancient Israel, also convicts believers and warns us of potential idols in our lives.
Is there anything in your life today that is out of priority, anything vying for the throne where only Jesus is supposed to be reigning? If so, it's time to do some reorganizing of allegiances.
Powell Sykes Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church A Confessing Congregation in the PCUSA 1126 W. Webb Avenue Burlington, NC 27217 (336) 227-2787 Questions? Comments? Call, write, or visit! Need a ride? It's an e-mail away!
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