Psalm 115 is a powerful declaration of faith and trust in God, highlighting the difference between the true God and the idols made by human hands. Throughout its verses, the text invites us to reflect on the true source of help and protection, calling the people to praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
This psalm belongs to the group known as the “Egyptian Hallel,” recited during festivals such as the Jewish Passover. Its central message revolves around God’s glory, the futility of idols, and the trust that the faithful must place in the Lord.
Psalm 115 – Full Text
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness and Your truth.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; they have noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; they have feet, but do not walk; nor can they make a sound with their throat.
8 Those who make them will become like them—so will all who trust in them.
9 Israel, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
12 The Lord has remembered us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord will increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 You are blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 115 Explained
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness and Your truth.
This verse is a declaration of humility and reverence. The psalmist acknowledges that glory belongs exclusively to God, not to humankind. The motive for this glory is the Lord’s love and faithfulness—His eternal attributes that sustain the relationship with His people.
Psalm 115:2
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Here, the author exposes the scorn of pagan nations, who do not understand faith in an invisible God. This rhetorical question reveals the challenge Israel faced: trusting a God who could not be seen like the idols of other peoples.
Psalm 115:3
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
The answer to the nations’ question is clear: God is in the heavens and acts with total sovereignty. He is not limited by forms, spaces, or human desires. He does as He wills, and this is reason for trust.
Psalm 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
The psalmist begins to denounce the futility of idolatry. Idols are not true gods but mere objects crafted by human hands, made of valuable materials yet powerless.
Psalm 115:5
They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see.
Even molded with human appearance, idols have no life. They do not speak or see—they are inert images, incapable of interacting with the real world.
Psalm 115:6
They have ears, but do not hear; they have noses, but do not smell.
The description continues, highlighting the uselessness of these false gods. They have form but no function. They perceive nothing and respond to nothing, for they are merely empty figures.
Psalm 115:7
They have hands, but do not feel; they have feet, but do not walk; nor can they make a sound with their throat.
Idols are complete in appearance yet totally devoid of power. They do not touch, move, or speak. They are the negation of everything that defines a living being.
Psalm 115:8
Those who make them will become like them—so will all who trust in them.
The psalm warns: those who craft and trust in idols become spiritually insensitive and lifeless, just like the idols themselves. Idolatry does not transform; it only weakens true faith.
Psalm 115:9
Israel, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
The people of Israel are called to trust in the Lord. He is presented as their help and shield, that is, someone active on behalf of those who trust in Him.
Psalm 115:10
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
The call to trust is extended to the priestly house. Even religious leaders must place their hope in the Lord, who protects and helps.
Psalm 115:11
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is your help and your shield.
Now, the call reaches everyone who fears God, regardless of origin. Trust in the Lord should be common practice for every believer, for He answers with help and protection.
Psalm 115:12
The Lord has remembered us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
The psalm confidently affirms that God does not forget His people. Blessing is promised to the people and to the religious leadership alike. Here, “remember” is synonymous with concrete and caring action.
Psalm 115:13
He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
God shows no partiality. His blessing extends to all who revere Him, regardless of position, influence, or social recognition.
Psalm 115:14
The Lord will increase you more and more, you and your children.
Beyond present blessing, there is a promise of ongoing growth and prosperity. Faithfulness to God bears lasting fruit and benefits future generations.
Psalm 115:15
You are blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The text reaffirms that the blessing received comes from the Creator of all. This strengthens confidence and reinforces the certainty that the One who blesses is God Himself, with absolute power.
Psalm 115:16
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of men.
This verse establishes God’s sovereignty over the heavens and humanity’s role as stewards of the earth. It references creation, where God entrusted care of the world to humankind.
Psalm 115:17
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.
The psalmist reminds us that worship belongs to the living. The dead no longer participate in earthly worship, so the opportunity to praise must be seized while life endures.
Psalm 115:18
But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
The psalm ends with a commitment to continual praise. Worship is not momentary but perpetual. The living have the privilege and responsibility to exalt God without ceasing.
Glory Belongs to God Alone
The True Reason for Praise
Psalm 115 opens with an impactful declaration: “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” This phrase sums up the essence of biblical worship—recognizing that all honor and glory belong exclusively to God.
Why Give Glory to God?
The reason for exalting the Lord lies in His mercy and faithfulness. Unlike idols, God acts with constant love and fulfills His promises. He is not limited by form or matter; He is spirit, eternal, and sovereign.
Contrast Between God and Idols
The Powerlessness of Idols
One of the highlights of Psalm 115 is its direct critique of the nations’ idols. The text describes them as having mouths but not speaking; eyes but not seeing; ears but not hearing. In other words, they are lifeless and powerless images.
The Danger of Trusting Images
The psalm warns that those who make idols and trust in them become like them—spiritually dead. This message remains relevant, prompting reflection on where we place our faith—in human constructs or in the living God?
A Call to Trust in the Lord
House of Israel, Trust in the Lord
Throughout Psalm 115, there is a persistent appeal: “Trust in the Lord.” First, it is directed to the house of Israel, the chosen people. Trust in God was the foundation of national identity and protection.
House of Aaron, Trust in the Lord
Next, the psalm addresses the priestly house, the representatives of the people before God. Even those who serve in the temple must keep their faith firmly in the One who is their helper.
All Who Fear the Lord
Finally, the invitation extends to everyone who fears God. Origin does not matter, but the disposition of the heart does. Psalm 115 includes all who desire to walk with God.
The Blessing of a God Who Remembers
God Remembers His People
Psalm 115 declares that “the Lord has remembered us.” He does not forget those who follow Him. His blessing is not only spiritual but also reaches everyday aspects of life.
Blessings for Great and Small
God promises to bless both great and small. His grace is not limited by class, position, or generation. Everyone can experience His favor.
The Lord Owns Everything
Heaven Is His Throne
According to Psalm 115, “the heavens are the Lord’s heavens.” This demonstrates His sovereignty over all creation. Nothing is outside His control.
The Earth Entrusted to Humanity
Even though He owns everything, God entrusted the earth to human beings. We are stewards of creation, called to live with responsibility and purpose.
The Silence of the Dead and the Praise of the Living
The Dead Do Not Praise the Lord
The text declares that the dead do not praise the Lord, making a clear distinction: worship belongs to the living, to those who recognize divine greatness in their existence.
We Will Bless the Lord
As long as we live, we must bless the Lord’s name. Psalm 115 ends with an invitation to eternal worship: “From now and forevermore.”
Spiritual Lessons from Psalm 115
Pride Must Be Rejected
The psalmist begins by saying, “Not to us, Lord.” This teaches that the human ego cannot be the center of spiritual life. All exaltation must go to the Creator.
Idolatry Remains Current
Although physical idols are less common in some cultures, modern idolatry can take other forms—money, status, technology. The warning of Psalm 115 is still necessary.
Trust Is the Foundation of Faith
God does not require us to understand everything but to trust in Him. The psalm repeats several times: “He is our help and shield.”
Blessing Is for Everyone
The text reinforces the universality of divine blessing. God desires to reach everyone—priests, nation, foreigners, and children.
The Poetic Structure of Psalm 115
Parallelisms and Repetitions
As in many psalms, parallelism is a recurring technique. Psalm 115 uses repetitions to reinforce ideas, such as the verses that exhort trust in the Lord.
The Use of Contrasts
Contrasts are also striking. God is living and powerful, whereas idols are inert. God’s people live and praise; the dead do not.
Practical Applications of Psalm 115 Today
For Times of Crisis
In times of doubt or despair, Psalm 115 reminds us that help is not in material things but in God, who acts faithfully.
For Worship and Adoration
This psalm can be used in liturgies, collective prayers, or personal devotions. It reinforces God’s centrality in worship.
For Spiritual Formation
The text is rich in foundations for discipleship, biblical teaching, and group studies. It is an excellent resource to explore themes such as idolatry, faith, and faithfulness.
Curiosities About Psalm 115
Part of the Hallel
Psalm 115 is part of a set of psalms (113–118) sung during festivals like Passover. They were used to remember the Exodus from Egypt.
Connection with the New Testament
Although not quoted directly, the spirit of the psalm echoes in Jesus’ teachings, especially regarding religious hypocrisy and true worship.
Guided Meditation with Psalm 115
- Read the psalm slowly out loud.
- Replace “Israel” with your own name.
- Reflect: where is your trust?
- Pray, thanking God for His faithfulness.
- Decide to live for the glory of the Lord.
Highlighted Verses from Psalm 115
- “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory” (v.1)
- “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands” (v.4)
- “Trust in the Lord; He is your help and shield” (v.9)
- “The Lord has remembered us and will bless us” (v.12)
- “The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of men” (v.16)
FAQ About Psalm 115
What does “Not to us, Lord” mean?
It is an expression of humility. It indicates that glory should not be given to humans but exclusively to God.
Why does the psalm talk so much about idols?
To show the difference between the true God and false idols, which have no power, sensitivity, or action.
What is the purpose of Psalm 115?
To invite people to trust only in God, reinforcing that He alone is worthy of glory and the source of blessings.
What can we learn from Psalm 115 today?
We learn about humility, divine faithfulness, the importance of praise, and the risk of placing our faith in material things.
Final Word: Psalm 115 is more than an ancient song of praise. It is a powerful reminder that only the Lord is worthy of trust, glory, and worship. May our lives reflect this truth daily, rejecting modern idols and celebrating the faithfulness of a God who never forgets us.
READ ALSO:
- 50 Beautiful Verses to Strengthen Faith and Heart
- Proverbs 15 – Reflections that Transform
- Birthday Message: Biblical Inspiration to Celebrate
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Hope you enjoyed it