1Not to us, Lord , not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy and faithfulness.
2Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3Our God is in heaven
and does whatever he wills.
4Their idols are silver and gold,[#Ps 135:15–19; Wis 15:15–16; Is 44:9f; Jer 10:1–5.]
the work of human hands.
5They have mouths but do not speak,
eyes but do not see.
6They have ears but do not hear,
noses but do not smell.
7They have hands but do not feel,
feet but do not walk;
they produce no sound from their throats.
8Their makers will be like them,
and anyone who trusts in them.
9The house of Israel trusts in the Lord ,[#ord : the laity of Israelite birth, the priests, and the converts to Judaism, cf. Ps 118:2–4; 135:19–21. In the New Testament likewise “those who fear the Lord” means converts to Judaism (cf. Acts 10:2, 22, 35; 13:16, 26).; #Ps 118:2–4.]
who is their help and shield.
10The house of Aaron trusts in the Lord ,
who is their help and shield.
11Those who fear the Lord trust in the Lord ,
who is their help and shield.
12The Lord remembers us and will bless us,
will bless the house of Israel,
will bless the house of Aaron,
13Will bless those who fear the Lord ,
small and great alike.
14May the Lord increase your number,
yours and your descendants.
15May you be blessed by the Lord ,
maker of heaven and earth.
16The heavens belong to the Lord ,[#: the Septuagint reads here “the heaven of heavens” or “the highest heavens,” i.e., above the firmament. See note on Ps 148:4.]
but he has given the earth to the children of Adam.
17The dead do not praise the Lord ,[#See note on Ps 6:5.]
not all those go down into silence.
18It is we who bless the Lord ,
both now and forever.
Hallelujah!