Psalm 115

Authorship

This Psalm is anonymous.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Opening declaration: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake. (1)

II. The heathen. (2-3)

A. Their question: Where is now their God?

B. Our answer:

1. Our God is in the heavens.

2. He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.

III. Their idols. (4-8)

A. They are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 264

B. They have mouths, but they speak not.

C. They have eyes, but they see not.

D. They have ears, but they hear not.

E. They have noses, but they smell not.

F. They have hands, but they handle not.

G. They have feet, but they walk not.

H. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them.

(Note: You become like whatever or whoever you idolize!)

IV. Put your trust in the Lord. (9-11)

A. O Israel, trust in the Lord: He is a help and shield.

B. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: He is a help and shield.

C. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is a help and shield.

V. The blessing of the Lord. (12-15)

A. God is mindful of us and will bless:

1. The house of Israel.

2. The house of Aaron.

3. Those that fear the Lord, both small and great.

B. God will increase you and your children more and more.

C. We are blessed by the Lord which made heaven and earth.

VI. The closing declaration. (16-18)

A. The heavens are the Lord's.

B. The earth He has given to the children of men.

C. The dead do not praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.

D. We will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 115,3 בַשָּׁמָיִם {B} MT, G, Hebr, S, T // dittogr: g / usu: g

Ps 115,9A יִשְׂרָאֵל {B} MT, Hebr, T // assim-ctext: G, S clav בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל

Ps 115,9B בְּטַח {B} MT, T // facil-styl: G, Hebr, S clav בָּטַח

Ps 115,10 בִּטְחוּ {B} MT, T // facil-styl: G, Hebr, S clav בָּטְחוּ

Ps 115,11 בִּטְחוּ {B} MT, T // facil-styl: G, Hebr, S clav בָּטְחוּ

Ps 115,18A וַאֲנַחְנוּ {B} MT, Hebr, S, T // glos: G

Ps 115,18B הַלְלוּ־יָהּ {B}