Psalms 115:5

5 Carved mouths that can't talk, painted eyes that can't see,

Psalms 115:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 115:5

They have mouths, but they speak not
These idols are carved with mouths, but they make no use of them; if any cry to them for they cannot answer them, nor save them from their troubles. Baal's priests cried to their idol, but was no voice heard, nor answer returned; they are rightly called dumb idols, ( Habakkuk 2:18 ) ( Isaiah 46:7 ) ( Jeremiah 10:5 ) ( 1 Kings 18:26 1 Kings 18:29 ) , but our God in the heavens, when his people cry to him, he answers them, and sends them relief; and tells them his grace is sufficient for them, and so they find it to be.

Eyes have they, but they see not;
they are made with eyes in their heads, but cannot see with them; they cannot see their worshippers, nor what they bring to them; neither their persons nor their wants, ( Daniel 5:23 ) , but our God and Father in heaven, he sees in secret the persons and hearts of his people; their desires are before him, and their groanings are not hid from him; his eyes are on the righteous, and are never withdrawn from them.

Psalms 115:5 In-Context

3 Our God is in heaven doing whatever he wants to do.
4 Their gods are metal and wood, handmade in a basement shop:
5 Carved mouths that can't talk, painted eyes that can't see,
6 Tin ears that can't hear, molded noses that can't smell,
7 Hands that can't grasp, feet that can't walk or run, throats that never utter a sound.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.