Meaning of Psalms 135:6

Psalm 135:6 declares the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation, asserting that His will is the ultimate determining factor in all that occurs. This verse is part of a larger psalm of praise, specifically Psalm 135, which exalts Yahweh as the supreme God, contrasting His power with the impotence of idols. The psalmist is not merely stating that God can do whatever He pleases, but that He does. This encompasses the entirety of existence – the celestial realm, the terrestrial world, the vast oceans, and their profound abysses. There is no force, entity, or circumstance that can thwart or dictate God's desires.

Context and Background

Psalm 135 is a hymn of praise that calls for worship of the Lord, highlighting His might and unique position as the one true God. It follows a pattern common in Israelite worship, where God's mighty acts and attributes are recounted to inspire awe and devotion. The preceding verses (135:5-7) emphasize God's power and immensity, stating His greatness is unsearchable and that He acts according to His good pleasure. This specific verse serves as a powerful testament to His unfettered authority, setting Him apart from any created being or power that might be perceived as rivaling Him. The context underscores that this is not a mere observation but a foundational truth for theological understanding and worship.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are divine sovereignty and omnipotence. The verse asserts that God's will is the ultimate cause and controller of all events, from the grandest cosmic phenomena to the deepest, most hidden parts of the earth. This implies that nothing happens outside of God's knowledge, permission, or active involvement. His pleasure, rather than any external constraint or obligation, is His sole motivation and criterion for action. This highlights the self-sufficiency and absolute freedom of God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse offers profound comfort and security. It means that in a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, there is a God who is in absolute control. This understanding fosters trust, as one can rest assured that God's purposes are being accomplished, even when they are not immediately apparent. It also calls for humility and submission, recognizing our limited perspective and the ultimate wisdom of God's plan. It encourages prayer that aligns with God's revealed will, trusting that He will work all things according to His good pleasure.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalm 135:6 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, echoing throughout Scripture. The concept of God's sovereign will is central to His relationship with humanity, from the creation account where God speaks and it is done, to the redemptive plan of salvation. The New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul, consistently affirms God's ultimate authority and His purposeful involvement in history, culminating in the resurrection of Christ. This verse underpins the understanding that God's plan for redemption was not a reaction to unforeseen circumstances, but a preordained decree executed according to His pleasure.

Analogies

Consider a master craftsman who, with absolute skill and freedom, shapes clay into whatever form pleases him. The clay has no power to dictate its own form or resist the craftsman's design. Similarly, God is the divine craftsman, and the entirety of creation, including all forces and phenomena, is His medium, shaped entirely by His will and for His purposes. Another analogy might be a sovereign king who issues decrees that are absolute and unchallengeable within his kingdom; God's reign extends not just over a kingdom, but over the entire universe.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with numerous other biblical passages:

• Genesis 1:3, 6, 9: God speaks, and creation comes into being, demonstrating His will as the direct cause of existence.
• Proverbs 16:4: "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." This highlights God's purposeful involvement in all things, even those with negative connotations from a human perspective.
• Daniel 4:35: "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'" This passage from Daniel directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 135:6, emphasizing God's unchallengeable authority.
• Ephesians 1:11: "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." This New Testament verse explicitly states that God's will is the operative principle behind His redemptive work.
• Isaiah 46:10: "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" This emphasizes the foreknowledge and unwavering execution of God's plan.