Psalm 115
BSB
To Your Name Be the Glory
(Psalms 135:1–21)
1Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to Your name be the glory,
because of Your loving devotion,
because of Your faithfulness.
2Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3Our God is in heaven;
He does as He pleases.
4Their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
5They have mouths, but cannot speak;
they have eyes, but cannot see;
6they have ears, but cannot hear;
they have noses, but cannot smell;
7they have hands, but cannot feel;
they have feet, but cannot walk;
they cannot even clear their throats.
8Those who make them become like them,
as do all who trust in them.
9O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and shield.
10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and shield.
11You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and shield.
12The LORD is mindful of us;
He will bless us.
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron;
13He will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.
14May the LORD give you increase,
both you and your children.
15May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth He has given to mankind.
17It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
nor any who descend into silence.
18But it is we who will bless the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Hallelujah!
Introduction
Psalms 115
Many ancient translations join this psalm to that which goes next before it, the Septuagint particularly, and the vulgar Latin; but it is, in the Hebrew, a distinct psalm. In it we are taught to give glory, I. To God, and not to ourselves (Psa 115:1). II. To God, and not to idols (Psa 115:2-8). We must give glory to God, 1. By trusting in him, and in his promise and blessing (Psa 115:9-15). 2. By blessing him (Psa 115:16-18). Some think this psalm was penned upon occasion of some great distress and trouble that the church of God was in, when the enemies were in insolent and threatening, in which case the church does not so much pour out her complaint to God as place her confidence in God, and triumph in doing so; and with such a holy triumph we ought to sing this psalm.
Cross-references: Ps 115:1 · Ps 115:2 · Ps 115:9 · Ps 115:16