Psalms 115
Psalm 115 is a song in which the Israelite community brings glory to God and praises His faithfulness and sovereignty. This psalm can be divided into four main parts. First (verses 1–3), Israel confesses that it is not they who should receive glory, but God alone, and praises God’s lovingkindness and truth. Second (verses 4–8), it exposes idols and their powerlessness. It emphasizes that idols made of gold or silver have neither life nor power. Third (verses 9–15) encourages Israel, the priests, and everyone who fears the LORD to trust in God, proclaiming that He is a shield. Finally (verses 16–18), it sings to conclude that this world—and even those who are alive—have the responsibility to praise God.
1verseNot to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your loving kindness, and for your truth’s sake.
2verseWhy should the nations say, “Where is their God, now?”
3verseBut our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
4verseTheir idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5verseThey have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see.
6verseThey have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell.
7verseThey have hands, but they don’t feel. They have feet, but they don’t walk, neither do they speak through their throat.
8verseThose who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.
9verseIsrael, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10verseHouse of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11verseYou who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12verseThe LORD remembers us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.
13verseHe will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
14verseMay the LORD increase you more and more, you and your children.
15verseBlessed are you by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16verseThe heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but he has given the earth to the children of men.
17verseThe dead don’t praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence,
18versebut we will bless the LORD, from this time forward and forever more. Praise the LORD!
Explanation of the Main Content
- Verses 1–3: Israel begins with prayer to God. The core of their faith is, “Not our glory, but God’s glory.” They hope that God’s living presence will be shown to the world.
- Verses 4–8: It describes idols in a satirical way, clearly contrasting the Creator God with idols as created things. Even if idols have eyes, mouths, and ears, they cannot do anything. Ultimately, idols made by humans cannot change human beings themselves.
- Verses 9–15: It repeatedly emphasizes to three groups (Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD) that they should rely on God alone. It confirms again and again that God is help and a shield, and it conveys the hope that God will bless those who fear Him.
- Verses 16–18: It acknowledges that the sovereignty of heaven and earth belongs to God. It declares that only the living—and through every generation that follows—must take responsibility to praise God, and it closes the psalm.
Points for Reflection
- Check whether your faith life puts “glory not to me, but to God” at its center.
- Today, look back on what idols are seated within you (including things you cannot see).
- Reflect on how the repeated exhortation to rely on God alone is being applied to your life.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In everyday life, set the priorities of living by seeking God’s glory first, not my glory or success.
- Let go of the things that could be placed in the place of idols among what you rely on, and make concrete commitments to place your trust in God alone.
- In every moment of living each day, commit to checking whether my life, words, and actions are lifting up God’s name.
