The Bible Says
Psalm 135:5-7 Meaning

When Psalm 135:5-7 declares For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods (v. 5), he affirms the unique authority and supremacy of God over every other spiritual or earthly power. The phrase our Lord underscores an intimate relationship with God, reminding worshipers that He is not a distant deity but a personal, caring ruler. In the context of ancient Israel, where neighboring nations worshiped multiple deities, this statement boldly proclaims that the God of Israel alone stands beyond comparison.

This confession of God’s greatness also points to a personal conviction: the psalmist does not merely suggest God might be superior, but firmly states he knows the Lord is uniquely great. The Hebrew people, living among nations that served idols (as highlighted throughout the Old Testament), knew that their God’s deeds and character were unlike any other. Modern readers can draw encouragement from this certainty as well, recognizing that God’s greatness remains steadfast in every season of life.

Such a personalized understanding of God’s unmatched stature often foreshadows later New Testament affirmations that Jesus Christ shares in the divine nature, being the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). These scriptural links emphasize that we, too, can hold unwavering confidence in the Lord’s sovereignty and compassion.

Continuing, the psalm goes on to say Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps (v. 6). This sweeping statement includes every realm, marking the entire created order as subject to God’s will. Heaven points to the invisible spiritual realm, while earth denotes the inhabited world of people, animals, and landscapes. The seas and all deeps extend that dominion even further, encompassing oceans that were often viewed as places of mystery and chaos in ancient times.

In declaring that God does whatever He pleases, the psalmist underscores the absolute authority of the Lord. No force — whether natural or supernatural — can thwart His purpose. For Israel, living among polytheistic cultures, this message was a steadfast assurance that God’s plan would stand unchallenged. Today, believers can align themselves with this confidence and find rest in the knowledge that God works all things according to His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:11).

Moreover, God’s capacity to operate in every sphere of creation highlights His providence. From the shining heavens to the darkest ocean trench, there is no place outside His reach. This truth resonates with Jesus’ assurance that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father’s notice (Matthew 10:29), reminding us we are never shielded from His loving and watchful presence.

Finally, the psalmist observes He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries (v. 7). This verse brings the reader into a vivid picture of God’s involvement in weather patterns. The ends of the earth evokes the farthest horizon known to the Israelites, possibly a reference to the outermost regions of the Mediterranean world or beyond the reaches of their geographical knowledge. By mentioning vapor and rain, the psalmist declares that even the most routine cycles of nature are works of God’s hands.

When the psalm speaks of lightning and wind from God’s treasuries, it poetically shows that God has a storehouse full of creative power. Wind, often viewed as invisible and unpredictable, is portrayed as a deliberate expression of the divine, directed and dispensed for His purposes. These natural phenomena, which can sometimes feel random or chaotic to humanity, come under God’s careful handiwork. As the Creator, He masterfully orchestrates the weather, just as He did in parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) or calming the storm with a command (Mark 4:39).

This vision of God’s reign over nature prompts a recognition of His majesty and intimacy: He is both mighty enough to shape every corner of creation and attentive enough to care for those who call on His name. The psalmist is leading worshipers to deepen their reverence toward a divine King who forms winds, commands storms, and yet remains near to His people.