In Psalm 135:5-7, we saw that it was good to praise the Lord because God is great; there is no god like Him; He controls heaven and earth and all the powers of nature. Part two of reasons to praise the Lord will look at the wonderful things God did for His people Israel. There has been no nation like Israel that God has established, protected and cared for throughout the centuries.
- Protection in Egypt and Deliverance from Egypt
“1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD… 8) Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. 9) Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.” (Psalm 135:1,8,9)
Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go from bondage and slavery. But God sent plagues and did wonders in Egypt. In the last plague God brought upon Egypt, He smote all the firstborn in Egypt, both man and beast. Then did Egypt thrust the Israelites out and sent them away.
- Protection of Israel in the wilderness.
As Israel traveled through the wilderness toward the Promised Land, Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan came out to withstand them. They did not want Israel to pass through their land. But God protected them, “Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan…” (Psalm 135:10,11a) You can read more about Sihon and Og in Numbers 21:21-35)
God slew Sihon and Og and also all the kings of the land of Canaan and gave their land to the Israelites. “Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; …and all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.” (Psalm 135:10,11b, & 12) Regarding the Amorites, whose king was Sihon, the Bible says, “And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.” (Numbers 21:25) Regarding Og king of Bashan and his land, the Bible says, “So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.” (Numbers 21:35) They also went on to fight against the kingdoms of Canaan and take their land.
“Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.” (Psalm 135:13) There is none greater than God whose name endures for ever and His memorial from generation to generation. This is the mighty God of Jacob who protected, delivered and cared for His people Israel and who keeps them still today.