Psalms 115:5-15

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. They have throats, but they can't say anything.

8 Those who make statues of gods will be like them. So will all those who trust in them.

9 People of Israel, trust in the Lord. He helps you. He is like a shield that keeps you safe.

10 Priests of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He helps you. He is like a shield that keeps you safe.

11 You who have respect for the Lord, trust in him. He helps you. He is like a shield that keeps you safe.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel. He will bless the priests of Aaron.

13 The LORD will bless those who have respect for him. He will bless important and unimportant people alike.

14 May the LORD give you many children. May he give them to you and to your children after you.

15 May the LORD bless you. He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalms 115:5-15 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.