Psalms - Chapter 115

Psalms 115.1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Psalms 115.2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? Psalms 115.3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psalms 115.4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. Psalms 115.5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: Psalms 115.6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: Psalms 115.7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. Psalms 115.8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. Psalms 115.9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Psalms 115.10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Psalms 115.11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Psalms 115.12 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. Psalms 115.13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. Psalms 115.14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Psalms 115.15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. Psalms 115.16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Psalms 115.17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. Psalms 115.18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

Psalms : Chapter 115

The Superiority of the Living God over Idols

Psalm 115 presents itself as a powerful plea for faith in a living God, contrasting sharply with the futility of idols. This often-debated psalm highlights the superiority of the God of Israel over the vain deities of the surrounding nations. It emphasizes God's invisibility, power, and faithfulness, thus encouraging the faithful to place their trust solely in Him.

Psalm 115 not only affirms monotheism, it also encourages exclusive worship of the Lord. To further this reflection, we offer a selection of five biblical passages that enrich the themes of true faith and idolatry evoked in this inspiring psalm.

1. Isaiah 42:8

"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to unseen images." This verse resonates with the central theme of Psalm 115:1, affirming that the glory of God is unique and unequaled.

2. Jeremiah 10:3-5

"For the customs of the people are empty: they cut down a tree from the forest, and a craftsman works it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold, and fix it with hammer and nails so that it will not fall." This passage reveals the futility of idols, reaffirming the fundamental message of Psalm 115:4-8 about their inability to act.

3. Acts 14:15

"Sirs, why are you doing this? We are human like you. We bring you good news, telling you to turn away from these futile things and turn to the living God." Paul and Barnabas emphasize the importance of turning away from idolatry, echoing the warnings in Psalm 115.

4. Deuteronomy 4:28

"There you will worship gods made by human hands, of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell." Moses warns of the dangers of idolatry, echoing the themes of Psalm 115:4-7 concerning the powerlessness of idols.

5. 1 Peter 1:18-19

"For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain conversation with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." Peter contrasts redemption in Christ with the futility of idols, thus echoing the reflections of Psalm 115.

By meditating on these verses, we are called to strengthen our commitment to the living God, to reject the idols of this world, and to affirm our faith in an omnipotent and faithful Creator.