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Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth!
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Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
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But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
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Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
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They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;
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they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell;
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they have hands, but they do not feel; they have feet, but they do not walk, and they do not make a sound with their throat.
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Those who make them are like them, and so is everyone who trusts in them.
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O Israel, trust in the LORD! — He is their help and their shield.
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O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! — He is their help and their shield.
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You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! — He is their help and their shield.
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The LORD has remembered us; He will bless, He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron,
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He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
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May the LORD increase you more and more, you and your children.
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Blessed are you by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
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The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the children of men.
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The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence;
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but we will bless the LORD, now and forever. Hallelujah!
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 115 – “Glory Belongs to the Lord, Not to Idols”
Psalm 115 is a psalm of contrast and deep spiritual meaning.
It begins with humility: glory is not for man, but for the Lord alone.
This psalm sets forth the great difference between the living God and lifeless idols, then calls God’s people to remain trusting and fearing Him.
📌 1. Glory Belongs Only to the Lord (verse 1)
➡️ “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory…”
➡️ Because of His steadfast love and truth.
🎯 All glory and success are from the Lord, not for human boasting.
📌 2. A Sharp Rebuke of Idols (verses 2–8)
➡️ The nations mock: “Where is their God?”
➡️ The psalmist answers:
The Lord is in heaven — He does whatever He pleases.
➡️ Idols are only the work of human hands:
they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear…
➡️ Those who make idols and trust in them become like them: spiritually lifeless.
🎯 Idols are lifeless things — to worship them is spiritual folly.
📌 3. A Call to Trust in the Lord (verses 9–11)
➡️ “O Israel, trust in the LORD…”
➡️ This includes the house of Aaron and all who fear the Lord.
➡️ For the Lord is their help and shield.
🎯 Trust in the Lord is the true protection in spiritual life.
📌 4. The Lord Remembers and Blesses (verses 12–15)
➡️ The Lord remembers His people and blesses them — both great and small.
➡️ He gives increase and the blessing of children.
🎯 The Lord does not forget the lowly — His blessing is just and given to all who believe.
📌 5. Praise from the Living (verses 16–18)
➡️ Heaven belongs to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind.
➡️ “The dead do not praise the LORD, but we who live…”
➡️ Praise is the duty and privilege of the living.
🎯 While you live, praise the Lord — for death ends the opportunity to bear witness.
📖 Main Teaching
- Glory belongs only to the Lord — not to man or institutions
- The Lord is living, mighty, and worthy of trust
- Idols are powerless, and they make people spiritually dull
- The Lord blesses all who fear Him, without regard to status
- Praise is the privilege of the living — do not waste it
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Romans 1:21–23
Human beings exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for idols.
➡️ Psalm 115 is echoed in Paul’s warning — idolatry is a great turning aside.
📖 John 4:24
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
➡️ The Lord is not an image or symbol — but living and worthy to be worshiped with the heart.
📖 1 Thessalonians 1:9
“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…”
➡️ This is true repentance — from lifeless things to the living God.
📖 Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine… that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.”
➡️ Glory is always returned to the Lord.
🕊️ “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory…” – Psalm 115:1
🕊️ “They have mouths, but they do not speak…” – Psalm 115:5
🕊️ “O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help.” – Psalm 115:9
🕊️ “The dead do not praise the LORD, but we who live.” – Psalm 115:17
