Single lesson
Psalm 135: Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD
Psalms 135:1–21
Psalm 135 calls worshippers to praise Yahweh, then gives reasons from his goodness, his rule over creation, his acts in Israel’s story, and the weakness of idols. This lesson is shaped for older students because the psalm includes severe judgement.
Before you teach
The poem begins by addressing Yahweh’s servants in his house. It then includes a first-person statement, “I know that Yahweh is great”, later turns to direct address, “Your name, Yahweh, endures forever”, and finishes with several groups being called to praise from Zion in Jerusalem.
Students will identify the speaker shifts, key images, and ordered movement of Psalm 135, and explain how the psalm builds its call to praise.
Welcome: Hear the opening call
6 minRead Psalms 135:1-4 aloud. Ask students to listen for who is addressed and why praise is commanded. Note the repeated “Praise”, the “servants of Yahweh”, and those standing in his house. Explain that the poem starts with a public call to worship and two opening reasons: Yahweh is good, and he has chosen Israel.
Psalms 135:1, Psalms 135:2, Psalms 135:3, Psalms 135:4
Read and explain: “I know that Yahweh is great”
10 minRead Psalms 135:5-12 slowly. Point out the first-person line, “I know”, which marks a speaker inside the poem. Trace the order: Yahweh acts in heaven, earth, seas, clouds, lightning, rain, and wind, then the psalm recalls Egypt, kings, and land given to Israel. Handle the judgement verses soberly as part of the psalm’s stated reasons for praise.
Psalms 135:5, Psalms 135:6, Psalms 135:7, Psalms 135:8, Psalms 135:9, Psalms 135:10, Psalms 135:11, Psalms 135:12
Discuss: Enduring name, judgement, compassion, idols
8 minRead Psalms 135:13-18. Show the shift to direct address: “Your name, Yahweh, endures forever.” Then compare Yahweh with idols. Yahweh’s name endures, he judges his people, and has compassion on his servants. Idols are made by human hands and cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe. The psalm warns that makers and trusters become like them.
Psalms 135:13, Psalms 135:14, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 135:16, Psalms 135:17, Psalms 135:18
Make and respond: Voice-and-image card
10 minStudents make a folded card with three panels labelled Call, Reasons, and Final Blessing. In each panel they copy one exact phrase from the psalm and draw one matching image, such as clouds, wind, an idol, or Zion. They also mark “I know” and the line that speaks directly to Yahweh.
Psalms 135:5, Psalms 135:7, Psalms 135:13, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 135:21
Closing: Join the final blessing
6 minRead Psalms 135:19-21 with different students taking each named group. Summarise the movement together: opening call, reasons from creation and Israel’s story, contrast with idols, and final blessing from Zion. Invite each student to give one text-based observation about why this psalm calls for praise.
Psalms 135:19, Psalms 135:20, Psalms 135:21
Questions to explore
Who is addressed at the start, and how does the voice change in verse 5?
Compare the commands to “you servants of Yahweh” with the later first-person statement, “I know that Yahweh is great.”
Psalms 135:1, Psalms 135:2, Psalms 135:5
What images from creation appear before the psalm recalls Egypt and the kings?
List the places and weather images in order, then notice that the poem moves from creation language to remembered acts in history.
Psalms 135:6, Psalms 135:7, Psalms 135:8, Psalms 135:10
How does the psalm contrast Yahweh with idols, and what warning follows?
Set Yahweh’s enduring name, judgement, and compassion beside what idols cannot do, then read the result for those who make and trust them.
Psalms 135:13, Psalms 135:14, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 135:16, Psalms 135:17, Psalms 135:18
Make, think or respond
Psalm 135 Voice-and-Image Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or light card
- pens or pencils
- coloured pencils
- ruler
Try it together
- Fold one sheet into three panels and label them Call, Reasons, and Final Blessing.
- Copy one exact phrase from Psalm 135 into each panel.
- Draw one simple image in each panel that matches the wording.
- Circle “I know” and underline the line that directly addresses Yahweh.
- Share the card with a partner and explain the poem’s movement.
The card helps students track the psalm’s wording, speaker shifts, and images from beginning to end.
Adapt for your group
- For younger or less confident readers, pre-label the three panels and offer a short list of verses to choose from for each one.
- For stronger readers, ask them to add brief notes showing where the psalm speaks to worshippers, where it speaks about Yahweh, and where it speaks directly to Yahweh.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: “Yahweh, help us read this psalm carefully. Teach us to notice its call to praise, its strong images, and its words about your name and works. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 135
1 Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh’s name! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,
2 you who stand in Yahweh’s house, in the courts of our God’s house.
3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
7 He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.
8 He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.
10 He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.
13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.
14 For Yahweh will judge his people and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.
17 They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.
19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!
20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!
21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.