Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 115 (MT) / Psalm 113:9–26 (LXX) is an anti-idolatry hymn — the centerpiece of the Egyptian Hallel. Its sarcastic description of dumb-idols (vv. 4–7: 'they have mouths but do not speak; eyes but do not see') became a classic anti-idolatry text. Verse 8 — 'those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them' — is a theological-ethical axiom: idolaters become-like-their-idols, absorbing their lifelessness. The 'not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory' (v. 1) became a Crusader and Templar motto (Non nobis, Domine).
Notable Variants
115:1 'not to us, Lord, but to your name' as Non nobis Domine motto; 115:4–8 idol-sarcasm / idolaters-become-like-their-idols theological-axiom; the LXX-Vulgate merges this psalm with Ps 114 under a single number.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 115 = LXX Ps 113:9–26 (second-half of LXX Ps 113). 18 verses. Third Egyptian Hallel psalm.
Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your faithful love, for the sake of Your faithfulness.
'Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!' tracks MT. 'NON NOBIS, DOMINE.' Latin Vulgate: 'Non nobis, Domine, non nobis; sed nomini tuo da gloriam.' The Knights Templar motto. Shakespeare's Henry V (Act IV, after Agincourt) has the king command this psalm to be sung in thanksgiving for victory.
Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
'Why should the nations say: Where is their God?' tracks MT. The 'WHERE-IS-THEIR-GOD?' taunt — recurring at Pss 42:3, 79:10, 115:2; Joel 2:17; Micah 7:10.
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
'Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases' tracks MT. DIVINE-SOVEREIGNTY answer to the taunt.
Their idols are silver and gold, crafted by human hands.
'Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands' tracks MT. IDOL-SARCASM begins. The work-of-human-hands diagnostic: humans-make-their-gods then worship them — the anthropological-inversion idolatry-critique that Isaiah 44:9–20 develops in detail.
They have mouths but cannot speak; they have eyes but cannot see.
'They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see' tracks MT. SENSORY-NEGATION idol-catalog begins.
They have ears but cannot hear; they have noses but cannot smell.
'They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell' tracks MT.
Their hands cannot feel; their feet cannot walk. No sound comes from their throat.
'They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat' tracks MT.
Those who make them become like them — so does everyone who trusts in them.
'Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them' tracks MT. IDOLATERS-BECOME-LIKE-THEIR-IDOLS. The theological-axiom: worship shapes the worshiper. Romans 1:21–23 ('exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images … were given up in the lusts of their hearts') develops; 2 Corinthians 3:18's positive-inversion ('being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another') applies the principle to Christ-worship.
Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
'O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield' tracks MT. TRUST-REFRAIN begins (vv. 9–11). Three-fold trust-call: Israel, house of Aaron, fearers of the LORD.
House of Aaron, put your trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
'O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield' tracks MT.
You who fear the LORD, put your trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
'You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield' tracks MT.
The LORD remembers us — He will bless. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
'The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron' tracks MT.
He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small and the great alike.
'He will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great' tracks MT. SMALL-AND-GREAT — Revelation 11:18, 13:16, 19:5, 19:18, 20:12 use this same 'small and great' pair for universal-scope.
May the LORD give you increase, you and your children.
'May the LORD give you increase, you and your children!' tracks MT.
You are blessed by the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
'May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!' tracks MT. MAKER-OF-HEAVEN-AND-EARTH divine-title. Acts 4:24, 14:15; Rev 14:7 deploy this creator-title.
The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to the children of humanity.
'The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man' tracks MT. EARTH-GIVEN-TO-HUMANS stewardship theology — Gen 1:28 dominion-mandate echoed.
The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.
'The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence' tracks MT. DEAD-NOT-PRAISE. Pre-resurrection Sheol-theology — parallel to Ps 6:5, 30:9, 88:10. Revelation 5:13 ('every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth … saying: blessing and honor') Christologically overcomes.
But we will bless the LORD from now until forever. Praise the LORD!
'But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!' tracks MT. Closing with forever-praise and halleluyah.