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!
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.