Psalm 135 is a hymn for the Temple: “Praise ye the name of the Lord: O you his servants, praise the Lord: You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.” It praises God for creation and the Exodus, and contrasts him with lifeless idols. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 134. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 135 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
Praise ye the name of the Lord: O you his servants, praise the Lord:
You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing ye to his name, for it is sweet.
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself: Israel for his own possession.
For I have known that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods.
Whatsoever the Lord hath pleased he hath done, in heaven, in earth, in the sea, and in all the deeps.
He bringeth up clouds from the end of the earth: he hath made lightnings for the rain. He bringeth forth winds out of his stores:
He slew the firstborn of Egypt from man even unto beast.
He sent forth signs and wonders in the midst of thee, O Egypt: upon Pharao, and upon all his servants.
He smote many nations, and slew mighty kings:
Sehon king of the Amorrhites, and Og king of Basan, and all the kingdoms of Chanaan.
And gave their land for an inheritance, for an inheritance to his people Israel.
Thy name, O Lord, is for ever: thy memorial, O Lord, unto all generations.
For the Lord will judge his people, and will be entreated in favour of his servants.
The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of men’s hands.
They have a mouth, but they speak not: they have eyes, but they see not.
They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Let them that make them be like to them: and every one that trusteth in them.
Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: bless the Lord, O house of Aaron.
Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: you that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord out of Sion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem.
Psalm 135 or Psalm 134?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 134 is Psalm 135 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Laudate nomen Domini, laudate, servi, Dominum. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Servants who praise: those who stand in God’s house are called to sing.
- God is good and sweet: “Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing ye to his name, for it is sweet.”
- Lord of creation: clouds, lightning and winds obey him.
- The Exodus: God struck Egypt and gave his people the land.
- Idols are nothing: “They have a mouth, but they speak not: they have eyes, but they see not,” as in Psalm 115.
How the Church uses Psalm 135
- At Evening Prayer (Vespers) in the Liturgy of the Hours. See Vespers.
- A companion to Psalm 136, the Great Hallel that follows it.
A prayer with Psalm 135
Written for this page:
Praise the name of the Lord, all you who serve him in his house.
You are good, Lord, and your name is sweet.
You made heaven and earth and freed your people with a mighty hand.
Keep me from every idol, and let my whole life bless your name. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 135 about?
Praise of God, who is greater than all gods and idols, for his works in creation and in the history of Israel.
How is Psalm 135 related to Psalm 115?
Both mock idols that “have a mouth, but they speak not,” and call God’s people to trust in the living God.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 134 (135), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.