Psalm 115
Psalm 115 is a song of praise emphasizing the glory and sovereignty of God over lifeless idols. It contrasts the power and trustworthiness of the living God with the impotence of man-made gods. The psalm encourages God’s people to trust in Him, acknowledging that He alone deserves glory, and concludes with a call to bless the Lord forever.
Psalm 115:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
2 Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
3 But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
6 They have ears, but they do not hear;
Noses they have, but they do not smell;
7 They have hands, but they do not handle;
Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
The psalm begins by directing all glory to God, emphasizing His mercy and truth. It addresses the taunts of the nations, asserting that God reigns in heaven with absolute freedom and power. In contrast, idols are shown as lifeless and powerless, crafted by human hands. They cannot speak, see, hear, or act. Those who make and trust in idols become spiritually lifeless, just like the objects they worship. The psalm urges Israel and the priests to trust in the Lord, who alone is their protector and helper.
Psalm 115:11-18 (NKJV)
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us;
He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
Both small and great.
14 May the Lord give you increase more and more,
You and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
The psalm continues to call on all who fear the Lord to trust in Him as their protector. It highlights God’s faithfulness and His intention to bless His people, including the priests and all who honor Him, regardless of status. There is a prayer for abundance and prosperity for future generations. The psalm reminds us that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, reigns over all. However, it emphasizes that the dead cannot praise Him—only the living can offer continual worship. It concludes with a commitment to bless the Lord forever, ending with a call to praise.