Psalms 135:5
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
For I know
H3045
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
For I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֑ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַ֝אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ
and that our Lord
H113
וַ֝אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ
and that our Lord
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
7 of 9
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
Cross References
Psalms 48:1Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.Psalms 97:9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.Psalms 95:3For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.Deuteronomy 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:Psalms 89:6For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?Daniel 3:29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religion was characterized by henotheism - worshiping one god while acknowledging others. Israel's prophets consistently challenged this, insisting that other 'gods' were mere idols with no actual divine power. The phrase 'above all gods' appears in Exodus 18:11 after Jethro witnessed the exodus, demonstrating how God's mighty acts revealed His supremacy.
Questions for Reflection
- How has your personal knowledge of God's greatness grown through experience?
- In what ways is the LORD greater than all other "gods" people worship today?
Analysis & Commentary
Personal testimony anchors theological truth: 'For I know that the LORD is great.' The shift to first person singular emphasizes experiential knowledge - 'yada' implies intimate, relational knowing, not mere intellectual assent. The psalmist declares Yahweh 'gadol' (great, magnificent) and 'above all gods.' This is not polytheism but polemical language acknowledging what pagans worship while asserting Yahweh's absolute supremacy. The title 'our Lord' (Adonenu) adds covenant intimacy to divine majesty - the great God is 'ours.' This combination of transcendence and immanence characterizes biblical faith. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6: 'though there be that are called gods... to us there is but one God.' The believer's confidence rests not on abstract theology but personal encounter with the living God.