Psalm 115:6

ESV They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.

NIV They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

NASB They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell;

CSB They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

NLT They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell.

KJV They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

NKJV They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell;

What does Psalm 115:6 mean?

Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 115; verse-level content coming soon!

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Context Summary
Psalm 115:4–8 attacks the foolish idea of worshipping an idol. These artificial objects (Psalm 135:15) are shaped like men but cannot do the things men can do (Habakkuk 2:18). Statues cannot speak, see, hear, or move. Those who worship idols eventually become as powerless and purposeless as the unliving images they create (Isaiah 44:9).

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Chapter Summary
Psalm 115 turns all praise and credit away from the people of Israel and gives it entirely to God. Pagan nations worshipped statues and objects. They might have ridiculed Israel's worship of an invisible deity. Yet their own idols were unthinking, unmoving, silent fakes. They were shaped like men but couldn't even do the things ordinary men could do. Israel should maintain trust in the Lord, who chose them as His people and made a covenant with them. The psalmist anticipates a long, productive life of worship because of God's protection.

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