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!
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.