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Chapter 115
Verse 115

Psalms 115:6

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;

American Standard Version (1901)

They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;

Bible in Basic English

They have ears, but no hearing; they have noses, but no sense of smell;

Free Bible Version

They have ears, but can't hear. They have noses, but can't smell.

Geneva Bible 1599

They haue eares and heare not: they haue noses and smelll not.

King James (Authorized) Version

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

One Unity Resource Bible

They have ears, but they don’t sh'ma ·hear obey·. They have noses, but they don’t smell.

Translation for Translators

They have ears, but they cannot hear anything; they have noses, but they cannot smell anything.

Unlocked Literal Bible

they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell.

Noah Webster Bible

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

World English Bible

They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell.

Young's Literal Translation

Ears they have, and they hear not, A nose they have, and they smell not,

Context

To Your Name Be the Glory

⁵They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; ⁶they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ⁷they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.

Summary

This verse contrasts the power and sovereignty of God with the limitations of idols made by human hands. It highlights the truth that God alone is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, deserving of all honor and glory. The psalmist emphasizes the futility of trusting in lifeless idols that cannot see, hear, or act, in contrast to the living God who is actively involved in the lives of His people. Ultimately, the verse calls believers to place their trust and confidence in the Almighty God who reigns forever.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

They have ears, but they hear not,.... The makers of them have taken care to place a pair of ears to their heads, but could not convey the faculty of hearing to them; so that though their priests may cry from morning to noon, as Baal's worshippers did, saying, O Baal, hear us; and even tonight, and one day and night after another, nothing is heard, Kg1 18:26. Indeed the image of Jupiter at Crete was made without ears; because it was thought unbecoming that he, who was prince and lord of all, should give ear to any (y): but the God of heaven and earth is a God hearing prayer; his ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear; his ears are always open to the cries of his people. Noses have they, but they smell not; the incense that is set before them, nor the sacrifices offered to them, Deu 4:28, but our God smelled a sweet savour in legal sacrifices, offered up in the faith of the Messiah; and especially he smells a sweet savour in the sacrifice of his Son, and in the prayers of his saints, which are sweet odours; and particularly as they come to him perfumed with the incense of Christ's mediation, Gen 8:21. (y) Plutarch. de Isid. & Osir. prope finem.

Psalms 115:6

To Your Name Be the Glory

⁵They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; ⁶they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ⁷they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;

American Standard Version (1901)

They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;

Bible in Basic English

They have ears, but no hearing; they have noses, but no sense of smell;

Free Bible Version

They have ears, but can't hear. They have noses, but can't smell.

Geneva Bible 1599

They haue eares and heare not: they haue noses and smelll not.

King James (Authorized) Version

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

One Unity Resource Bible

They have ears, but they don’t sh'ma ·hear obey·. They have noses, but they don’t smell.

Translation for Translators

They have ears, but they cannot hear anything; they have noses, but they cannot smell anything.

Unlocked Literal Bible

they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell.

Noah Webster Bible

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

World English Bible

They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell.

Young's Literal Translation

Ears they have, and they hear not, A nose they have, and they smell not,