Bible Commentary

Psalms 115

Psalms 115 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

Many ancient translations join this psalm to that which goes next before it, the Septuagint particularly, and the vulgar Latin; but it is, in the Hebrew, a distinct psalm. In it we are taught to give glory, I. To God, and not to ourselves, ver. 1. II. To God, and not to idols, ver. 2-8. We must give glory to God, 1. By trusting in him, and in his promise and blessing, ver. 9-15. 2. By blessing him, ver. 16-18. Some think this psalm was penned upon occasion of some great distress and trouble that the church of God was in, when the enemies were in insolent and threatening, in which case the church does not so much pour out her complaint to God as place her confidence in God, and triumph in doing so; and with such a holy triumph we ought to sing this psalm.

The Absurdity of Idolatry.

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Psalms 115 — OverviewPsalms 115 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePsalms 115:1, Because God is truly glorious, Psalms 115:4, and idols are vanity, Psalms 115:9, he exhorts to confidence in God; Psalms 115:12, God is to be blessed for his blessings.Psalms 115 — OverviewPsalms 115 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis psalm is by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, joined to the former, and makes one psalm with it: and Kimchi says, that in some books the psalm does not begin here; but in the…Psalms 115:1-8Psalms 115:1-8 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleSufficient care is here taken to answer both the pretensions of self and the reproaches of idolaters. I. Boasting is here for ever excluded, v. 1. Let no opinion of our own merits have any room either in our…Psalms 115:1Psalms 115:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryNot unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory. God is prayed to help Israel, but not for their sakes, not to cover them with glory—rather for his own sake, that glory may rest on his Name, and himself,…Psalms 115:1Psalms 115:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryHonor in honoring God. This psalm evidently belongs to the time when the restoration from Babylon was only partially accomplished. The little colony settled in Jerusalem and the district immediately round the city,…Psalms 115:1-11Psalms 115:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryTrue and false worship. In strong, nervous language we have here presented to us— I. THE MAJESTY AND THE POWER OF GOD. (Psalms 115:3.) The heathen, in their ignorance, want to know where Jehovah is; they cannot see…