Psalms 115 - Printer Friendly

At major celebrations, Israel would recite (Mark 14:26) from a series of songs often called the Halle (Psalm 113—118). These frequently use the expression "hallelujah," or halelu-yāh, literally meaning "praise the Lord!"

This song takes aim at the idea of idols: manmade carvings and objects which are worshipped as if they have power. Israel chooses—or should choose—to give all glory and honor to the Lord. Pagans may laugh at the idea of an invisible deity. But the Lord of Israel is the only True God. He is not controlled or limited by anything (Psalm 115:1–3).

Idols are useless because they are just unmoving objects made by fallen men. Even when made of precious metals, they have no long-term value. They may have parts shaped like those of man, such as feet, hands, eyes, and ears; none of those make the figure living or active. Those who put trust in false gods they built themselves (Habakkuk 2:18; Jeremiah 10:5; 1 Corinthians 12:2) will eventually become just as powerless and lifeless as their totems (Psalm 115:4–8).

To avoid that fate, the psalmist calls on Israel to remember their history and to respond with trust and faithfulness towards the Lord. The psalmist wishes a blessing on all those who worship the Lord, then points out those who are dead cannot offer the Lord further praise. With God on their side, the people can trust Him to bring them through any crisis (Psalm 115:9–18).

Psalm 115:1–3 contrasts Israel's attitude towards God with that of pagan nations. God's chosen people give Him all praise and honor. They don't take credit for what He has done (Psalm 68:34; Exodus 15:2). Idol-worshippers, on the other hand, are confused at the idea of an invisible God. To them an unseen deity might as well not exist. But the One True God isn't limited by the shape of a carved image.

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).

Psalm 115:9–15 calls on the people of Israel to put all their trust and faith in the Lord God. Aaron was Moses' brother (Exodus 4:14) and his family line were the priests of the Old Testament system (Exodus 29:44–46). God's faithfulness so far to Israel is a reason for confidence now. Those who acknowledge God (Proverbs 1:7) have assurances of His blessing, someday.

Psalm 115:16–18 concludes the psalm with a series of statements. God rules all things, and makes His home in heaven, but He has allowed men to rule over the earth (Genesis 1:28; 9:1–2, 7). Those who die can no longer worship the Lord from earth (Isaiah 38:18; Psalm 30:9), so the psalmist anticipates rescuing so the people can continue to praise the Lord.

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.

This psalm emphasizes the superiority of the Lord, the One True God, with the false idols and lifeless statues of pagan religions. This is part of the so-called "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalm 113—118). The songs in this segment repeatedly use the Hebrew expression halelu-yāh, brought nearly unchanged into English as "hallelujah." The nation of Israel often struggled with idolatry (2 Kings 17:12; 2 Chronicles 24:18; Isaiah 2:8); this psalm is a call for faithfulness.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.