1 Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the nations say, Where then is their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands:
5 They have a mouth, and they speak not; eyes have they, and they see not;
6 They have ears, and they hear not; a nose have they, and they smell not;
7 They have hands, and they handle not; feet have they, and they walk not; they give no sound through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them, -- every one that confideth in them.
9 O Israel, confide thou in Jehovah: he is their help and their shield.
10 House of Aaron, confide in Jehovah: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear Jehovah, confide in Jehovah: he is their help and their shield.
12 Jehovah hath been mindful of us: he will bless, he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 He will bless them that fear Jehovah, both the small and the great.
14 Jehovah will add unto you more, unto you and unto your children.
15 Ye are blessed of Jehovah, who made the heavens and the earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah, but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not Jah, neither any that go down into silence;
18 But *we* will bless Jah from this time forth and for evermore. Hallelujah!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 115
Commentary on Psalms 115 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 115
Ps 115:1-18. The Psalmist prays that God would vindicate His glory, which is contrasted with the vanity of idols, while the folly of their worshippers is contrasted with the trust of God's people, who are encouraged to its exercise and to unite in the praise which it occasions.
1-3. The vindication of God's mercy and faithfulness (Ps 25:10; 36:6) is the "glory" of His "name," which is desired to be illustrated in the deliverance of His people, as the implied mode of its manifestation. In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as enthroned in the heaven (Ps 2:4; 11:4) is avowed.
2. Where is now, &c.—"now" is "not a particle of time, but of entreaty," as in our forms of speech, "Come now," "See now," &c.
4-7. (Compare Isa 40:18-20; 44:9-20).
7. speak … throat—literally, "mutter," not even utter articulate sounds.
8. every one that trusteth—they who trust, whether makers or not.
9-13. The repetitions imply earnestness.
14. Opposed to the decrease pending and during the captivity.
15-17. They were not only God's peculiar people, but as living inhabitants of earth, assigned the work of His praise as monuments of divine power, wisdom, and goodness.
18. Hence let us fulfil the purpose of our creation, and evermore show forth His praise.