Psalms 115:2-12

2 Why should the nations ask, "Where is their God?"

3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

4 Their idols are mere silver and gold, made by human hands.

5 They have mouths, but they can't speak; they have eyes, but they can't see;

6 they have ears, but they can't hear; they have noses, but they can't smell;

7 they have hands, but they can't feel; they have feet, but they can't walk; with their throats they can't make a sound.

8 The people who make them will become like them, along with everyone who trusts in them.

9 Isra'el, trust in ADONAI! He is their help and shield.

10 House of Aharon, trust in ADONAI! He is their help and shield.

11 You who fear ADONAI, trust in ADONAI! He is their help and shield.

12 ADONAI has kept us in mind, and he will bless. He will bless the house of Isra'el; he will bless the house of Aharon;

Psalms 115:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 115

This psalm is by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, joined to the former, and makes one psalm with it: and Kimchi says, that in some books the psalm does not begin here; but in the best and correct copies of the Hebrew, and in the Targum, it stands a distinct psalm; and the different subject matter or argument shows it to be so. It is ascribed to various persons; by some to Moses and the Israelites, when pursued by Pharaoh: by others to the three companions of Daniel, cast into the fiery furnace: by others to Mordecai and Esther, when Haman distressed the Jews: by others to the heroes at the times of Antiochus and the Maccabees; so Theodoret: by some to Jehoshaphat, when a numerous army came against him; and by others to David, which is more probable; though on what occasion is not easy to say: some have thought it was written by him, when insulted by the Jebusites, 2Sa 5:6. The occasion of it seems to be some distress the church of God was in from the Heathens; and the design of it is to encourage trust and confidence in the Lord; and to excite the saints to give him the glory of all their mercies, and to expose the vanity of idols.