1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 115 is a part of the book of Psalms, one of the books in the Holy Bible, specifically the King James Version (KJV). The psalm is a powerful piece of scripture, filled with themes of faith, trust in God, and the vanity of idol worship. It serves as a call to the faithful, reminding them of the supremacy of God and the futility of placing trust in idols. The psalm also emphasizes the blessings that come with trusting in God and the grace that is bestowed upon those who fear Him.
In the first part of Psalm 115, the psalmist begins with a plea to God to manifest His glory. The psalmist doesn't ask for God's blessings for selfish reasons, but instead, they desire that God's name be glorified among the nations. This theme of divine supremacy is a recurring one throughout the psalm. The psalmist acknowledges that while other nations may worship idols, their God is in heaven and does as He pleases. This underlines the key difference between the God of Israel and the gods of other nations.
The psalmist also goes into great detail to describe the vanity of idol worship. They speak of idols made by human hands, which have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and so on. The psalmist points out the futility of placing trust in these lifeless idols, emphasizing that they are incapable of action, unlike God who is unrestricted and supreme.
Moving on from the theme of divine supremacy, Psalm 115 delves into the theme of trust in God. The psalmist encourages the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord to trust in God. They are assured that God is their help and shield, a source of protection and provision for them. This call to trust is not a passive one but requires active faith and reliance on God's power and provision.
The psalmist also highlights the blessings that come with trusting in God. They declare that God has been mindful of them and will bless them. The blessings are not only for the present but also extend to future generations, showing the enduring nature of God's love and grace. The psalmist also declares that they will bless the Lord forever, reinforcing the reciprocal relationship between God and His people, where God's blessings evoke praise and worship from His people.
Psalm 115 carries a profound message for believers. It serves as a reminder of God's supremacy over all things, including the man-made idols that people often place their trust in. The psalm challenges us to examine where we place our trust and to realign our faith, if necessary, towards God who is in heaven and does as He pleases.
The psalm also encourages us to actively trust in God, not just in times of trouble but at all times. It assures us that God is our help and shield, providing us with protection and provision. This reassurance is particularly relevant in times of uncertainty and difficulty, reminding us that God is our refuge and strength.
Furthermore, Psalm 115 highlights the blessings that come with trusting in God. It assures us that God is mindful of us and that His blessings extend to future generations. This promise of enduring love and grace serves as a source of comfort and hope, encouraging us to persevere in our faith.
In conclusion, Psalm 115 is a powerful piece of scripture that underscores the supremacy of God and the futility of idol worship. It invites us to place our trust in God, assuring us of His protection, provision, and enduring love. It serves as a call to faith, reminding us of the blessings that come with trusting in God and challenging us to live out our faith in active trust and obedience.
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