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Psalms 115

BSB·18 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to us, O LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, notלֹ֫אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to us, butכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → to Your nameלְ֭שִׁמְךָlə·šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → beתֵּ֣ןtên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the gloryכָּב֑וֹדkā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →, because ofעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַ֝סְדְּךָ֗ḥas·də·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →, becauseעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → of Your faithfulnessאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃’ă·mit·te·ḵā — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. 2Whyלָ֭מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → should the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֑םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → sayיֹאמְר֣וּyō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Whereאַיֵּה־’ay·yêh- — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → is their Godאֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃’ĕ·lō·hê·hem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →?” 3Our Godוֵֽאלֹהֵ֥ינוּwê·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is in heavenבַשָּׁמָ֑יִםḇaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →; He doesעָשָֽׂה׃‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → asכֹּ֭לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → He pleasesחָפֵ֣ץḥā·p̄êṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study →. 4Their idolsעֲ‍ֽ֭צַבֵּיהֶם‘ăṣab·bê·hem — Idol; carved image or object of worshipH6091 — Full Word Study → are silverכֶּ֣סֶףke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and goldוְזָהָ֑בwə·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →, madeמַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → by the handsיְדֵ֣יyə·ḏê — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of menאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 5They have mouthsפֶּֽה־peh- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → speakיְדַבֵּ֑רוּyə·ḏab·bê·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →; they have eyesעֵינַ֥יִם‘ê·na·yim — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeיִרְאֽוּ׃yir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →; 6they have earsאָזְנַ֣יִם’ā·zə·na·yim — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hearיִשְׁמָ֑עוּyiš·mā·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →; they have nosesאַ֥ף’ap̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → smellיְרִיחֽוּן׃yə·rî·ḥūn — to smell, perceive by scent, accept with favorH7306 — Full Word Study →; 7they have handsיְדֵיהֶ֤ם׀yə·ḏê·hem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֬אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → feelיְמִישׁ֗וּןyə·mî·šūn — to feel, handle, or touchH4184 — Full Word Study →; they have feetרַ֭גְלֵיהֶםraḡ·lê·hem — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study →, but cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → walkיְהַלֵּ֑כוּyə·hal·lê·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →; they cannotלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → even clearיֶ֝הְגּ֗וּyeh·gū — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → their throatsבִּגְרוֹנָֽם׃biḡ·rō·w·nām — throat; by extension, voice or neckH1627 — Full Word Study →. 8Those who make themעֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם‘ō·śê·hem — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → becomeיִהְי֣וּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like themכְּ֭מוֹהֶםkə·mō·w·hem — Like; according to; asH3644 — Full Word Study →, as do allכֹּ֭לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → trustבֹּטֵ֣חַbō·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in them. 9O Israelיִ֭שְׂרָאֵלyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, trustבְּטַ֣חbə·ṭaḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַּיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →! Heהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is their helpעֶזְרָ֖ם‘ez·rām — Helper, aid, or one who assistsH5828 — Full Word Study → and shieldוּמָגִנָּ֣םū·mā·ḡin·nām — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →. 10O houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַ֭הֲרֹן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, trustבִּטְח֣וּbiṭ·ḥū — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →! Heהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is their helpעֶזְרָ֖ם‘ez·rām — Helper, aid, or one who assistsH5828 — Full Word Study → and shieldוּמָגִנָּ֣םū·mā·ḡin·nām — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →. 11You who fearיִרְאֵ֣יyir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, trustבִּטְח֣וּbiṭ·ḥū — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →! Heהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is their helpעֶזְרָ֖ם‘ez·rām — Helper, aid, or one who assistsH5828 — Full Word Study → and shieldוּמָגִנָּ֣םū·mā·ḡin·nām — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →. 12The LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is mindful of usזְכָרָ֪נוּzə·ḵā·rā·nū — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →; He will bless usיְבָ֫רֵ֥ךְyə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study →. He will blessיְ֭בָרֵךְyə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →; He will blessיְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְyə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹֽן׃’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →; 13He will blessיְ֭בָרֵךְyə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → those who fearיִרְאֵ֣יyir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →smallהַ֝קְּטַנִּ֗יםhaq·qə·ṭan·nîm — Small, little, least, or young in size, number, age, or importanceH6996 — Full Word Study → andעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → great alikeהַגְּדֹלִֽים׃hag·gə·ḏō·lîm — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →. 14May the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → give you increaseיֹסֵ֣ףyō·sêp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study →, both youעֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם‘ă·lê·ḵem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → andוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your childrenבְּנֵיכֶֽם׃bə·nê·ḵem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. 15May youאַ֭תֶּם’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → be blessedבְּרוּכִ֣יםbə·rū·ḵîm — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → by the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Makerעֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → of heavenשָׁמַ֥יִםšā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → and earthוָאָֽרֶץ׃wā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 16The highest heavensהַשָּׁמַ֣יִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → belong to the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, but the earthוְ֝הָאָ֗רֶץwə·hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → He has givenנָתַ֥ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to mankindאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 17It is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the deadהַ֭מֵּתִיםham·mê·ṯîm — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → who praiseיְהַֽלְלוּ־yə·hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the LORDיָ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →, norוְ֝לֹ֗אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who descendיֹרְדֵ֥יyō·rə·ḏê — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → into silenceדוּמָֽה׃ḏū·māh — silence, stillness, quietnessH1745 — Full Word Study →. 18But it is weוַאֲנַ֤חְנוּ׀wa·’ă·naḥ·nū — We, us, ourselves (first person plural pronoun)H587 — Full Word Study → who will blessנְבָ֘רֵ֤ךְnə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיָ֗הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →, both nowמֵֽעַתָּ֥הmê·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → and forevermoreוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study →. Hallelujahהַֽלְלוּ־hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 115
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 115 is a passionate declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and sufficiency, set against the backdrop of Israel's testimony among the nations. The psalmist begins by redirecting all glory away from human achievement and toward God's name alone, then contrasts the living God of heaven with the lifeless idols of the surrounding pagan nations. This psalm calls believers to trust in the Lord rather than in material things or false gods, and it concludes with a powerful affirmation that we, as the living, have a unique privilege and obligation to praise the God who alone deserves worship.

Verses 1–2: The Cry for God's Glory

The psalmist opens with an urgent, threefold plea: "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory." This repetition emphasizes a heart posture of humility and God-centeredness. The writer is not asking for human recognition or reward; instead, he requests that all glory be ascribed to God's name—His character, reputation, and revealed nature. The motivation is grounded in God's mercy and truth, His covenant faithfulness and reliability.

Verse 2 reveals the underlying concern: the surrounding nations are watching and questioning Israel's faith. When believers face difficulty or when God's promises seem delayed, unbelievers mock: "Where is now their God?" This is a timeless challenge to faith. The psalmist's answer is clear: our vindication comes not through our own strength but through exalting God's name.

Application: In a secular world that constantly challenges Christian faith, we must resist the urge to defend God through human effort alone. Instead, our confidence rests in His sovereignty and our responsibility is to glorify His name through faithful trust.

Verses 3–8: The Superiority of the True God Over Idols

Having appealed for God's glory, the psalmist now explains why God alone deserves it. "Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." The Lord is not distant or powerless; He is enthroned in heaven and exercises absolute authority over all creation.

In stark contrast, the psalmist describes pagan idols in devastating detail. Verses 4–7 catalogue what idols cannot do: they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell, hands but cannot handle, feet but cannot walk. This is not mere mockery; it is a sober spiritual diagnosis. These objects, made of precious metals and crafted by human hands, are utterly powerless.

Verse 8 delivers the sobering conclusion: "They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." When people trust in lifeless idols, they become spiritually deadened themselves—unable to perceive God's truth or respond to His call.

Application: Modern idols may not be carved from stone or metal, but they surround us: wealth, status, technology, and self-reliance. Trusting in these leaves us spiritually impoverished. Only trust in the living God brings spiritual vitality.

Verses 9–15: A Call to Trust and God's Promise of Blessing

The psalmist now issues a threefold exhortation to trust: to Israel as a nation, to the house of Aaron (the priesthood), and to all who fear the Lord. Each group is assured that God "is their help and their shield." The repetition reinforces that God's protection and provision are available to all His people.

Verses 12–15 shift to promise. God has been "mindful of us" and will bless the entire community of faith—from the smallest to the greatest. Such blessing is not earned; it flows from the character of "the LORD which made heaven and earth."

Application: God's blessings are not reserved for the elite or the mighty; they extend to all who fear Him and trust in Him.

Verses 16–18: The Privilege and Responsibility of the Living

The psalm concludes with a profound truth: the heavens belong to God, but He has graciously given the earth to humanity. Verses 17–18 emphasize that the dead cannot praise God, but we can and must. Our praise is a privilege and a responsibility unique to the living.

Application for Today: Psalm 115 calls us to examine our hearts: Are we truly glorifying God's name, or do we trust in lesser things? Are we awake to the privilege of praising the living God while we have breath? Let us fix our eyes on God's sovereignty, reject the deadening grip of idolatry in all its forms, and use our lives to declare His glory among the nations.

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