1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou 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.
11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD hath 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 them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
1 Not unto us, O LORD, H3068 not unto us, but unto thy name H8034 give H5414 glory, H3519 for thy mercy, H2617 and for thy truth's H571 sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen H1471 say, H559 Where is now their God? H430
3 But our God H430 is in the heavens: H8064 he hath done H6213 whatsoever he hath pleased. H2654
4 Their idols H6091 are silver H3701 and gold, H2091 the work H4639 of men's H120 hands. H3027
5 They have mouths, H6310 but they speak H1696 not: eyes H5869 have they, but they see H7200 not:
6 They have ears, H241 but they hear H8085 not: noses H639 have they, but they smell H7306 not:
7 They have hands, H3027 but they handle H4184 not: feet H7272 have they, but they walk H1980 not: neither speak H1897 they through their throat. H1627
8 They that make H6213 them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth H982 in them.
9 O Israel, H3478 trust H982 thou in the LORD: H3068 he is their help H5828 and their shield. H4043
10 O house H1004 of Aaron, H175 trust H982 in the LORD: H3068 he is their help H5828 and their shield. H4043
11 Ye that fear H3373 the LORD, H3068 trust H982 in the LORD: H3068 he is their help H5828 and their shield. H4043
12 The LORD H3068 hath been mindful H2142 of us: he will bless H1288 us; he will bless H1288 the house H1004 of Israel; H3478 he will bless H1288 the house H1004 of Aaron. H175
13 He will bless H1288 them that fear H3373 the LORD, H3068 both small H6996 and great. H1419
14 The LORD H3068 shall increase H3254 you more and more, you and your children. H1121
15 Ye are blessed H1288 of the LORD H3068 which made H6213 heaven H8064 and earth. H776
16 The heaven, H8064 even the heavens, H8064 are the LORD'S: H3068 but the earth H776 hath he given H5414 to the children H1121 of men. H120
17 The dead H4191 praise H1984 not the LORD, H3050 neither any that go down H3381 into silence. H1745
18 But we will bless H1288 the LORD H3050 from this time forth and for H5704 evermore. H5769 Praise H1984 the LORD. H3050
1 Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy lovingkindness, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now 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 mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
6 They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
7 They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
12 Jehovah hath 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 them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great.
14 Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children.
15 Blessed are ye of Jehovah, Who made heaven and 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 Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence;
18 But we will bless Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye Jehovah.
1 Not to us, O Jehovah, not to us, But to Thy name give honour, For Thy kindness, for Thy truth.
2 Why do the nations say, `Where, pray, `is' their God.
3 And our God `is' in the heavens, All that He hath pleased He hath done.
4 Their idols `are' silver and gold, work of man's hands,
5 A mouth they have, and they speak not, Eyes they have, and they see not,
6 Ears they have, and they hear not, A nose they have, and they smell not,
7 Their hands, but they handle not, Their feet, and they walk not;
8 Nor do they mutter through their throat, Like them are their makers, Every one who is trusting in them.
9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah, `Their help and their shield `is' He.'
10 O house of Aaron, trust in Jehovah, `Their help and their shield `is' He.'
11 Ye fearing Jehovah, trust in Jehovah, `Their help and their shield `is' He.'
12 Jehovah hath remembered us, He blesseth, He blesseth the house of Israel, He blesseth the house of Aaron,
13 He blesseth those fearing Jehovah, The small with the great.
14 Jehovah addeth to you, to you, and to your sons.
15 Blessed `are' ye of Jehovah, maker of heaven and earth,
16 The heavens -- the heavens `are' Jehovah's, And the earth He hath given to sons of men,
17 The dead praise not Jah, Nor any going down to silence.
18 And we, we bless Jah, From henceforth, and unto the age. Praise ye Jah!
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!
1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, But to your name give glory, For your loving kindness, and for your truth's sake.
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God, now?"
3 But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they don't speak; They have eyes, but they don't see;
6 They have ears, but they don't hear; They have noses, but they don't smell;
7 They have hands, but they don't feel; They have feet, but they don't walk; Neither do they speak through their throat.
8 Those who make them will be like them; Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
9 Israel, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.
12 Yahweh remembers 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 Yahweh, Both small and great.
14 May Yahweh increase you more and more, You and your children.
15 Blessed are you by Yahweh, Who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh; But the earth has he given to the children of men.
17 The dead don't praise Yah, Neither any who go down into silence;
18 But we will bless Yah, From this time forth and forevermore. Praise Yah!
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name let glory be given, because of your mercy and your unchanging faith.
2 Why may the nations say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in heaven: he has done whatever was pleasing to him.
4 Their images are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but no voice; they have eyes, but they see not;
6 They have ears, but no hearing; they have noses, but no sense of smell;
7 They have hands without feeling, and feet without power of walking; and no sound comes from their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who puts his faith in them.
9 O Israel, have faith in the Lord: he is their help and their breastplate.
10 O house of Aaron, have faith in the Lord: he is their help and their breastplate.
11 You worshippers of the Lord, have faith in the Lord: he is their help and their breastplate.
12 The Lord has kept us in mind and will give us his blessing; he will send blessings on the house of Israel and on the house of Aaron.
13 He will send blessings on the worshippers of the Lord, on the small and on the great.
14 May the Lord give you and your children still greater increase.
15 May you have the blessing of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the Lord's; but the earth he has given to the children of men.
17 The dead do not give praise to the Lord; or those who go down to the underworld.
18 But we will give praise to the Lord now and for ever. Praise be to the Lord.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 115
Commentary on Psalms 115 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
Call to the God of Israel, the Living God, to Rescue the Honour of His Name
This Psalm, which has scarcely anything in common with the preceding Psalm except that the expression “house of Jacob,” Psalms 114:1, is here broken up into its several members in Psalms 115:12., is found joined with it, making one Psalm, in the lxx, Syriac, Arabic and Aethiopic versions, just as on the other hand Ps 116 is split up into two. This arbitrary arrangement condemns itself. Nevertheless Kimchi favours it, and it has found admission into not a few Hebrew manuscripts.
It is a prayer of Israel for God's aid, probably in the presence of an expedition against heathen enemies. The two middle strophes of the four are of the same compass. Ewald's conjecture, that whilst the Psalm was being sung the sacrifice was proceeded with, and that in Psalms 115:12 the voice of a priest proclaims the gracious acceptance of the sacrifice, is pleasing. But the change of voices begins even with Psalms 115:9, as Olshausen also supposes.
It has to do not so much with the honour of Israel, which is not worthy of the honour (Ezekiel 36:22.) and has to recognise in its reproach a well-merited chastisement, as with the honour of Him who cannot suffer the reproaching of His holy name to continue long. He willeth that His name should be sanctified. In the consciousness of his oneness with this will, the poet bases his petition, in so far as it is at the same time a petition on behalf of Israel, upon God's cha'ris and alee'theia as upon two columns. The second על , according to an express note of the Masora, has no Waw before it, although the lxx and Targum insert one. The thought in Psalms 115:2 is moulded after Psalms 79:10, or after Joel 2:17, cf. Psalms 42:4; Micah 7:10. איּה־נא is the same style as נגדּה־נּא in Psalms 116:18, cf. in the older language אל־נא , אם־נא , and the like.
The poet, with “And our God,” in the name of Israel opposes the scornful question of the heathen by the believingly joyous confession of the exaltation of Jahve above the false gods. Israel's God is in the heavens, and is therefore supramundane in nature and life, and the absolutely unlimited One, who is able to do all things with a freedom that is conditioned only by Himself: quod vult , valet ( Psalms 115:3 = Psalms 135:6, Wisd. 12:18, and frequently). The carved gods ( עצב , from עצב , cogn. חצב , קצב ) of the heathen, on the contrary, are dead images, which are devoid of all life, even of the sensuous life the outward organs of which are imagined upon them. It cannot be proved with Ecclesiastes 5:16 that ידיהם and רגליחם are equivalent to ידים להם , רגלים . They are either subjects which the Waw apodosis cf. Genesis 22:24; Proverbs 23:24; Habakkuk 2:5) renders prominent, or casus absoluti (Ges. §145, 2), since both verbs have the idols themselves as their subjects less on account of their gender ( יד and רגל are feminine, but the Hebrew usage of genders is very free and not carried out uniformly) as in respect of Psalms 115:7 : with reference to their hands, etc. ימישׁוּן is the energetic future form, which goes over from משׁשׁ into מוּשׁ , for ימשּׁוּ . It is said once again in Psalms 115:7 that speech is wanting to them; for the other negations only deny life to them, this at the same time denies all personality. The author might know from his own experience how little was the distinction made by the heathen worship between the symbol and the thing symbolized. Accordingly the worship of idols seems to him, as to the later prophets, to be the extreme of self-stupefaction and of the destruction of human consciousness; and the final destiny of the worshippers of false gods, as he says in Psalms 115:8, is, that they become like to their idols, that is to say, being deprived of their consciousness, life, and existence, they come to nothing, like those their nothingnesses (Isaiah 44:9). This whole section of the Psalm is repeated in Ps 135 (Psalms 115:6, Psalms 115:15).
After this confession of Israel there now arises a voice that addresses itself to Israel. The threefold division into Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Jahve is the same as in Psalms 118:2-4. In Ps 135 the “house of Levi” is further added to the house of Aaron. Those who fear Jahve, who also stand in the last passage, are probably the proselytes (in the Acts of the Apostles σεβόμενοι τὸν Θεόν , or merely σεβόμενοι )
(Note: The appellation φοβούμενοι does not however occur, if we do not bring Acts 10:2 in here; but in Latin inscriptions in Orelli-Hentzen No. 2523, and in Auer in the Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie 1852, S. 80, the proselyte ( religionis Judaicae ) is called metuens .))
at any rate these are included even if Israel in Psalms 115:9 is meant to signify the laity, for the notion of “those who fear Jahve” extends beyond Israel. The fact that the threefold refrain of the summons does not run, as in Psalms 33:20, our help and shield is He , is to be explained from its being an antiphonal song. In so far, however, as the Psalm supplicates God's protection and help in a campaign the declaration of confident hope, their help and shield is He , may, with Hitzig, be referred to the army that is gone or is going forth. It is the same voice which bids Israel to be of good courage and announces to the people the well-pleased acceptance of the sacrifice with the words “Jahve hath been mindful of us” ( זכרנוּ ה , cf. עתּה ידעתּי , Psalms 20:7), perhaps simultaneously with the presentation of the memorial portion ( אזכרה ) of the meat-offering (Psalms 38:1). The יברך placed at the head is particularized threefold, corresponding to the threefold summons. The special promise of blessing which is added in Psalms 115:14 is an echo of Deuteronomy 1:11, as in 2 Samuel 24:3. The contracted future יסף we take in a consolatory sense; for as an optative it would be too isolated here. In spite of all oppression on the part of the heathen, God will make His people ever more numerous, more capable of offering resistance, and more awe-inspiring.
The voice of consolation is continued in Psalms 115:15, but it becomes the voice of hope by being blended with the newly strengthened believing tone of the congregation. Jahve is here called the Creator of heaven and earth because the worth and magnitude of His blessing are measured thereby. He has reserved the heavens to Himself, but given the earth to men. This separation of heaven and earth is a fundamental characteristic of the post-diluvian history. The throne of God is in the heavens, and the promise, which is given to the patriarchs on behalf of all mankind, does not refer to heaven, but to the possession of the earth (Psalms 37:22). The promise is as yet limited to this present world, whereas in the New Testament this limitation is removed and the κληρονομία embraces heaven and earth. This Old Testament limitedness finds further expression in Psalms 115:17, where דּוּמה , as in Psalms 94:17, signifies the silent land of Hades. The Old Testament knows nothing of a heavenly ecclesia that praises God without intermission, consisting not merely of angels, but also of the spirits of all men who die in the faith. Nevertheless there are not wanting hints that point upwards which were even better understood by the post-exilic than by the pre-exilic church. The New Testament morn began to dawn even upon the post-exilic church. We must not therefore be astonished to find the tone of Psalms 6:6; Psalms 30:10; Psalms 88:11-13, struck up here, although the echo of those earlier Psalms here is only the dark foil of the confession which the church makes in Psalms 115:18 concerning its immortality. The church of Jahve as such does not die. That it also does not remain among the dead, in whatever degree it may die off in its existing members, the psalmist might know from Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 25:8. But the close of the Psalm shows that such predictions which light up the life beyond only gradually became elements of the church's consciousness, and, so to speak, dogmas.