Chapter 115
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”
Overview
Psalm 115 contrasts the living God of Israel with the dead idols of the nations. The psalm begins with a plea that glory be given to God's name, not to Israel, for the sake of His mercy and truth. The nations ask 'Where is now their God?' but Israel's God is in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. The idols of the nations are silver and gold — they have mouths but speak not, eyes but see not, ears but hear not, and those who make them become like them. Israel is called to trust in the LORD, who is their help and shield. He will bless those who fear Him, both small and great.
Key Themes
The Living God vs. Dead Idols
The contrast between the sovereign God who does whatever He pleases and lifeless idols that cannot speak, see, or hear could not be sharper.
Becoming Like What We Worship
Those who make and trust idols become like them — spiritually blind, deaf, and mute. We are shaped by what we worship.
Trust in the LORD as Help and Shield
Three times Israel is called to trust in the LORD — He is the help and shield of all who fear Him, from the greatest to the smallest.
Study Questions
What does the opening prayer 'Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory' (v. 1) teach about the purpose of God's blessings?
How does the principle of becoming like what we worship (v. 8) apply to modern forms of idolatry?
What does it mean that God 'hath done whatsoever he hath pleased' (v. 3)?
Why does the psalm repeat the call to trust three times (vv. 9-11)?
How does this psalm challenge the believer to examine what they are truly trusting in?
Connection to Christ
Christ is the image of the invisible God — the exact opposite of dead idols. He is the living one who speaks, sees, hears, and acts. Through Him, those who were dead in idolatry are made alive. He is the help and shield of His people, and through His name — not our own — God's glory is displayed among the nations.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 115. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?