Psalm One Hundred and Fifteen

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

not unto us. The repetition of these words stresses the importance of acknowledging that glory belongs only to the Lord. Even mighty angels emphasize this truth (Revelation 22:8-9). It is inappropriate for God's servants on earth to seek glory for themselves (Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:27, 29-31). “For men to search their own glory is not glory” (Proverbs 25:27).

Psalm 115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalm 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psalm 115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

Psalm 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

Psalm 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

Psalm 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

like unto them. Those who construct substitutes for the true God of creation—whether metal images with their hands (Psalm 115:4) or mental imaginings with their minds—are not only blasphemous but foolish, for such “idols” (i.e., “vanities”) are unable to save.

Psalm 115:9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:12 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.

Psalm 115:13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

Psalm 115:14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

Psalm 115:15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

are the Lord's. For this present age at least, the earth (including, possibly, the solar system, though this is very doubtful) has been placed under man's dominion. There is no evidence whatever in either science or Scripture that intelligent beings (other than angels) exist in other worlds. It is expensive foolishness to attempt to reach such worlds in space ships or to communicate with them via radio astronomy. Such projects make man more vulnerable than ever to demonic deception by the Satanic “principalities, ... powers, ... rulers of the darkness of this world,” and “spiritual wickedness in (the heavenly realms)” (Ephesians 6:12), that the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) is using so effectively today.

Psalm 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

The dead praise not. This verse might at first imply that death terminates our ability to praise the Lord, but the next verse assures us that death is not the end, for “we will bless the Lord. ... for evermore” (Psalm 115:18).

Psalm 115:18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.