Psalm 115

Introduction.—Ps. Ps. 115 sets forth the absurdity of worshiping idols, which are the work of men’s hands. The psalmist exhorts all the faithful to extol and praise the living God.

In the LXX, Ps. 114 and Ps. 115 are combined to form one psalm, which is numbered 113 (see p. 627).

1. Not unto us. A renunciation of self-praise. The psalmist is desirous that God should no longer be the object of insult and ridicule by the heathen.

Men are ever eager to ascribe praise to themselves or to have other lips praise them. They are likewise free in their flattery of others. Because of the tendency of the human heart toward pride, men are counseled to “beware of giving or receiving flattery or praise” (COL 161).

2. Where? God had manifested His power in Egypt when Pharaoh asked the question, “Who is the Lord?” (Ex. 5:2). Now the same mocking question is asked by the heathen, and the psalmist is concerned because God is seemingly allowing His name to be disparagingly spoken of in this manner.

3. In the heavens. The Lord of Israel reigns on high and is supreme above all opposing powers. His throne remains unshaken and His purposes unchanged despite threats from mortal men.

4. Idols. The carved gods of the heathen are but lifeless images. How unreasonable it is that men should worship and adore that which they themselves have made!

5. Speak not. These idols have no power to communicate with men. They cannot teach their worshipers, nor are they aware of the needs of those who appeal to them.

6. Hear not. Some heathen deities were represented by images with monstrous ears, but no prayer was ever heard by these gods. Taunting the prophets of Baal, Elijah asked them to shout more loudly to their heathen deity; but there was no response. Baal remained silent (see 1 Kings 18:27–29),

8. Like unto them. A man rises no higher than the object of his worship (see PP 19). In like manner, he who adores the Lord is changed into His image and advances from glory to glory (see 2 Cor. 3:18).

10. O house of Aaron. That is, the priests. As spiritual leaders and teachers, the priests should set the example of a firm trust in the Lord.

11. Fear the Lord. That is, all who reverence God. The call to trust confidingly in His almighty power is for all.

12. Hath been mindful. God never forgets the least of His children. He will remember His people at all times and all circumstances (see Isa. 49:15).

13. Small and great. The phrase thus translated is a Hebrew idiom meaning “young and old” when applied to persons. For example, the older of two brothers is always called the “large” or “great” and the younger is called the “small” or “little,” even though the younger may be of greater stature than his brother. The expression does not have reference to physical size or social rank. The idiom is common in the Scriptures (see Gen. 19:11; Deut. 1:17; 1 Sam. 5:9; etc.).

15. Made heaven and earth. In contrast with the gods of the heathen, which themselves were shaped by human hands, our God is the omnipotent Creator, the Maker of all.

16. Hath he given. God created the earth to be the dwelling place of man (see Gen. 1:28; Isa. 45:18). “God made the world to enlarge heaven. He desired a larger family” (EGW RH June 25, 1908). This same planet will be the final home of the redeemed. He has promised that the meek “shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

17. Praise not. The dead are in a state of unconscious sleep and are oblivious of anything that is going on in earth or heaven. “The dead know not any thing” (Eccl. 9:5; cf. Ps. 146:4; 1 Thess. 4:13–17). The popular concept that the souls of men depart at death and exist in a state of conscious bliss in the realms above is denied by the psalmist’s statement. One would naturally expect that such redeemed souls would be eager to ascribe praise to Him who wrought such marvelous redemption for them. But the dead sleep unconsciously in their graves and evince no praise.

18. But we. That is, we who are alive, in contrast with the dead (see v. 17).

For evermore.. That is, as long as life continues, for the dead cannot bless the Lord (see v. 17).

Ellen G. White comments

1 PP 289; 5T 219

3 MB 156

8 PP 91

17 GC 546; 1T 299