To God Be the Glory!
Opening Prayer
Lord, my trust is not in a god whom I can see but rather in one whom I can’t.
Read Psalm 115
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
2 Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.
14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“The Lord remembers us and will bless us… he will bless those who fear the
Lord—small and great alike… It is we who extol the Lord… Praise the Lord” (Psa. 115:12,13,18).
Think Further
There are various voices in this psalm. First, Israel addresses God in what is generally understood to be a communal lament, calling out to God because she is being mocked (1,2). Second, the psalmist mimics the taunting voice of the enemies quoted by Israel (2). The voice of Israel then continues until verse 9 when another voice breaks in, possibly a priest providing encouragement. Some consider that a prophetic voice takes over at verse 12, though it may be the continuation of the priestly one. The different tone in verse 14 may suggest another voice (Leslie C. Allen, Word Biblical Commentary 21: Psalms 101–150, 143–150).
The reason for the trust expressed in this psalm is the covenant; whatever her circumstances, Israel knows that God is there and will remember her (12). Even when he seems absent and others mockingly ask where he is (2), the people are confident that he is in heaven and is sovereign (3). At the same time, he can be relied upon as their shield and helper (9–11). Not only does the psalmist assure them that God will bless those who fear him (12,13), but he pronounces blessing on them (14,15). It is a privilege to be able to bless others in the name of the Lord.
The satirical polemic against idols in verses 4–8 purports to boost Israel’s own faith and monotheistic position. It is also an answer to the mocking in verse 2. The nations say, “Where is their God?” and Israel answers that her God is in heaven whereas the nations worship impotent images of silver and gold. Although we may also disparagingly dismiss such practices, we might remember that many of us live in societies where silver and gold are worshipped without needing to be fashioned into images.
Apply
Everyone who serves God wants him to step down from heaven and reveal himself personally to their enemies. Isaiah felt the same way (cf. Isa. 64:1,2). What do you want God to do?
Closing prayer
Father, You are the one, true God. You are our help and shield, the source of all blessing. I will extol the Lord both now and for evermore. Praise the Lord!
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