Psalms
Summary
Psalm 115 is a communal hymn that directly contrasts the living and sovereign God of Israel with the silent and lifeless idols of the nations. It begins with a humble plea: "Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory," rejecting any human boasting in favour of God’s love and faithfulness. While the gods of the nations are mere silver and gold, made by human hands and unable to speak, see, or hear, the psalm calls Israel and all who fear the LORD to trust in the living God as their help and shield. It concludes with a commitment to bless the LORD both now and forevermore.
Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
All you Israelites, trust in the LORD, he is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the LORD, he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the LORD, he is their help and shield.
The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alike.
May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.
It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence;
it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD!