Psalm 115
- Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
- Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
- But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
- Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
- They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
- They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
- They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
- They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
- O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
- O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
- Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
- 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.
- He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
- The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
- Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
- The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
- The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
- But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 115 begins with a humble acknowledgment that glory and praise belong to the Lord alone, emphasizing His mercy and truth. The psalmist questions why the heathen would doubt the presence of God, affirming that the true God reigns from heaven and does as He pleases, contrasting the ineffectiveness of idols made by human hands.
The psalmist urges Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to trust in Him, declaring that He is their help and shield. God’s faithfulness is highlighted as the psalmist reflects on His blessings upon the people of Israel, from the least to the greatest.
The psalm concludes with a declaration of praise to the Lord, recognizing His sovereignty over heaven and earth. While the dead cannot praise the Lord, the psalmist vows to bless Him both now and forevermore.
Overall, Psalm 115 underscores the importance of trusting in the true God rather than relying on man-made idols. It encourages believers to recognize God’s faithfulness and sovereignty and to offer Him continual praise and adoration.