The psalmist praises the Lord for His goodness and might, specifically His power over the idols made by man. He was victorious over the Egyptians, the kings, and their gods. Praise Him for choosing them as His possession.

In verses 1-4, the psalmist calls God’s servants to praise God in His house because He is good. To exalt God’s name with songs because He had chosen them as His prized possession.

We are to praise the Lord when we come to His house each week because of His goodness to us. He had specifically chosen us to be His people, a prized possession. This choice is what Paul spoke of in the New Testament, in the Letter to the Ephesians, about His election of us to be His children. It was not because we are special. But He saved us out of His love for us, and not because He predestined us to be saved.

In verses 5-7, he knows that God is great, greater than all other gods. He can do whatever He likes in heaven and on earth, even in seas and all the deep areas. God commands and controls the cloud, the lightnings, and the wind to do as He pleases.

In verses 8-12, he describes God’s greatness, especially in comparison to the gods of Egypt, fertility gods like Heqet (a god of fertility represented by frogs) and Osiris (god of the afterlife, often depicted as a firstborn son), by striking down the firstborn of Egypt’s man and beast. He did so to pressure Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. He also struck down the nations and their kings, “Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.”

God is greater than any gods if there are any other gods in this world. He has proven it by defeating the gods of those who worshipped them, as seen by the examples in verses 8-12. Therefore, we can trust in Him, and we must worship only the God of the Bible.

In verses 13-14, he declares the Lord’s name endures forever, and His fame throughout all ages. With certainty that God will vindicate His people and show compassion to his servants.

In verses 15-18, contrast it with the idols of these nations that were made of silver and gold, and by human, “They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.” He said those who made them are like them and calls us not to trust in these idols, but in Him who defeated Israel’s enemies.

His name is known not just over all the earth but also throughout all generations. We can be certain that He can save us. In contrast to the idols made by man, who are lifeless, God is great and powerful, and He desires to save us. Thus, we can trust in Him.

In verses 19-21, he calls the Israelites, the priests, and those who fear the Lord to bless Him from Zion in the city of Jerusalem, where they lived to praise the Lord. We, too, are called to worship Him. We are to praise the Lord and bless His holy name!

Prayer:

Praise to You, O my Lord. Praise Your holy name! May we lift Your name high and trust in You completely, as You proved Yourself to be all-powerful and all-loving to us.