Psalms 115:4-14

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.
8 Those who make them have become just like them, have become just like the gods they trust.
9 But you, Israel: put your trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
10 Clan of Aaron, trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
11 You who fear God, trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
12 O God, remember us and bless us, bless the families of Israel and Aaron.
13 And let God bless all who fear God - bless the small, bless the great.
14 Oh, let God enlarge your families - giving growth to you, growth to your children.

Images for Psalms 115:4-14

Psalms 115:4-14 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.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now
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.