Psalms 115

Psalm 115

The Impotence of Idols and the Greatness of God

1Not to us, O Lord , not to us, but to your name give glory,[#Ps 96.8; Ezek 36.32; #115.1 Psalms 114—115 are a single psalm in the earliest witnesses]

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

2Why should the nations say,[#Ps 42.3]

“Where is their God?”

3Our God is in the heavens;[#Ps 103.19; 135.6; Dan 4.35]

he does whatever he pleases.

4Their idols are silver and gold,[#Deut 4.28; Ps 135.15–17; Jer 10.3ff]

the work of human hands.

5They have mouths, but they do not speak;

they have eyes, but they do not see.

6They have ears, but they do not hear;

they have noses, but they do not smell.

7They have hands, but they do not feel;

they have feet, but they do not walk;

they make no sound in their throats.

8Those who make them are like them;[#Ps 135.18]

so are all who trust in them.

9O Israel, trust in the Lord ![#Ps 33.20; 118.2–4]

He is their help and their shield.

10O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord !

He is their help and their shield.

11You who fear the Lord , trust in the Lord ![#Ps 135.20]

He is their help and their shield.

12The Lord has been 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 ,

both small and great.

14May the Lord give you increase,[#Deut 1.11]

both you and your children.

15May you be blessed by the Lord ,[#Gen 1.1; 14.19; Ps 96.5]

who made heaven and earth.

16The heavens are the Lord ’s heavens,[#Ps 8.6; 89.11]

but the earth he has given to human beings.

17The dead do not praise the Lord ,[#Ps 6.5; 31.17]

nor do any who go down into silence.

18But we will bless the Lord[#Ps 113.2]

from this time on and forevermore.

Praise the Lord !

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ