The author of Psalm 115 is not known, however, the author share with us that God is alive and he is thinking about us and caring for us, and we should put him first in our lives.
Psalm 115:1 - "Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness"
The psalmist asked that God's name, not the nation's be glorified. Too often we ask God to glorify his name with ours. For example, we may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed. Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we will get applause. There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others; the problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God's reputation in the process. Before yo pray, ask yourself, "Who will get the credit if God answers my prayer?"
Psalm 115:4-8 - "But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. 5-They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; 6-they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; 7-they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; no 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"
When the psalms were written, many people worshiped idols - statues of wood, stone, or metal. They took pride in what they could see and had contempt for what they couldn't see. Today, we still may value tangible objects (home, clothing, possessions) rather than intangible realities (spiritual growth, salvation, giving to those in need, spending time with loved ones). Those who spend their time obtaining tangible objects are as foolish and empty as the idols themselves.
Psalm 115:12 - "The LORD remembers us and will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron"
"The LORD remembers us" says the psalm writer. What a fantastic truth! There are many times when we feel isolated, alone and abandoned, even by God. In reality, he sees understands and thinks about us. When depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth, be encouraged that God keeps you in his thoughts. If he thinks about you, surely his help is near.
Psalm 115 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 Not to us, O 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 the hands of men.
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 O house of Israel, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
10 O 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 the house of 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 may you increase,
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 man.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord.