Psalms 115

1 Not to us, O LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of covenant faithfulness], not to us, but to Your name [Your reputation, character] be the glory [honor, splendor], because of Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy], because of Your faithfulness [truth, reliability]. word study 2 Why [for what reason, on what grounds] should the nations [Gentile peoples, heathen] say [declare, speak], “Where [in what place] is their God [Elohim, the supreme God, their divine Helper]?” word study 3 Our God [Elohim, the supreme One] is in heaven [the visible universe, the abode of God]; He does [accomplishes, brings to pass] as He pleases [delights in, is pleased to do, has willed]. word study 4 Their idols [images, statues] are silver [precious metal, wealth] and gold [valuable, brilliant], made [crafted, created] by the hands [power, direction] of men [human beings, mortal]. word study 5 They have mouths [lips, or edges of the face], but cannot speak [utter a sound, or communicate]; they have eyes [sights, or sources of perception], but cannot see [look, or provide for]; word study 6 they have ears [organs of hearing, to listen], but cannot hear [do not listen, are deaf to]; they have noses [nostrils, a nose to smell], but cannot smell [do not perceive, are without scent]; word study 7 they have hands [with power to grasp], but cannot feel [or touch, make physical contact]; they have feet [for walking, movement], but cannot walk [or go, move forward]; they cannot even clear [or make a sound with] their throats [voice box, neck area]. word study 8 Those who make [create, fashion] them become [are likened to, resemble] like [similar to, in the image of] them, as do [in the same manner] all [every single one, everything] who trust [have faith, put confidence] in them [idols, false gods]. word study 9 O Israel [God’s chosen people], trust [have faith, rely on] in the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]! He [the Almighty, their Helper] is their help [assistant, supporter] and shield [protector, defense]. word study 10 O house [dwelling place, family] of Aaron [the first high priest], trust [have faith, rely] in the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]! He [the Helper, their Protector] is their help [assistant, supporter] and shield [defense, protection]. word study 11 You who [reverently] fear [are afraid of, have reverence for] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], trust [have confidence, faith] in the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]! He is their [helper, one who provides aid] help and [protector, defense] shield. word study 12 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is mindful [has remembered, keeps in mind] of us; He will bless [bestow divine favor, praise] us. He will bless [honor, show kindness to] the house [family, dwelling place] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob]; He will bless [praise, honor] the house [family, lineage] of Aaron [the first high priest]; word study 13 He will bless [praise, honor] those who fear [reverence, are afraid of] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]— small [little, insignificant] and great [important, mighty] alike [together, as one]. word study 14 May the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] give you increase [add to, bless with more], both you and your children [sons, descendants]. word study 15 May you be blessed [praised and honored] by the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the Maker [Creator, One who brings into being] of heaven [the visible universe and the abode of God] and earth [the land, the material world]. word study 16 The highest [uppermost, celestial] heavens [the visible universe, the abode of God] belong to the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God], but the earth [land, territory] He has given [bestowed, entrusted] to mankind [the children of men, humankind]. word study 17 It is not [absence of life or existence] the dead [those who have gone down into the underworld, to die] who praise [to shine, celebrate, or make a show] the LORD [Jah, the shortened form of the divine name], nor any [none, no one] who descend [to go down, fall] into silence [stillness, quiet, or the place of death]. word study 18 But it is we [the living, us who are alive] who will bless [praise, honor] the LORD [Jah, Yehovah], both now and forevermore. Hallelujah [praise the LORD, celebrate]! word study