Psalms 115:7
Psalms 115:7 in Multiple Translations
they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.
They have hands without feeling, and feet without power of walking; and no sound comes from their throat.
They have hands, but can't feel. They have feet, but can't walk. No sound comes from their throats.
They haue handes and touche not: they haue feete and walke not: neither make they a sound with their throte.
Their hands, but they handle not, Their feet, and they walk not;
They have hands, but they don’t feel. They have feet, but they don’t walk, neither do they speak through their throat.
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds:
They have hands, but they cannot feel anything; they have feet, but they cannot walk, and they have throats but cannot even make any sounds!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 115:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 115:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְדֵי/הֶ֤ם
וְ/לֹ֬א
יְמִישׁ֗וּ/ן
רַ֭גְלֵי/הֶם
וְ/לֹ֣א
יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ
לֹֽא
יֶ֝הְגּ֗וּ
בִּ/גְרוֹנָֽ/ם
יְדֵי/הֶ֤ם
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
וְ/לֹ֬א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יְמִישׁ֗וּ/ן
mûwsh
H4184
to feel
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
רַ֭גְלֵי/הֶם
regel
H7272
foot
N-fd | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יֶ֝הְגּ֗וּ
hâgâh
H1897
to mutter
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בִּ/גְרוֹנָֽ/ם
gârôwn
H1627
throat
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 115:7
יְדֵי/הֶ֤ם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וְ/לֹ֬א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְמִישׁ֗וּ/ן
mûwsh
H4184
"to feel"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
To feel means to touch something, making physical contact with it. This word is used in the Bible to describe physical touch or handling. It can also imply a sense of exploration.
Definition: 1) to feel 1a) (Qal) to feel 1b) (Hiphil) to feel
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: feel, handle. See also: Genesis 27:21; Judges 16:26; Psalms 115:7.
רַ֭גְלֵי/הֶם
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֶ֝הְגּ֗וּ
hâgâh
H1897
"to mutter"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To mutter or ponder, as seen in Psalm 1:2 where it means to meditate on God's law, and also in Psalm 37:35 where it describes plotting evil.
Definition: 1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to roar, growl, groan 1a2) to utter, speak 1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine 1b) (Poal) to utter 1c) (Hiphil) to mutter
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter. See also: Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
בִּ/גְרוֹנָֽ/ם
gârôwn
H1627
"throat"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The throat refers to the neck or throat area, as in Ezekiel 38:21 where God says the open sepulchre will be stopped. It can also mean to speak aloud or mouth something.
Definition: 1) neck, throat 1a) neck 1b) throat 1b1) of open sepulchre (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] aloud, mouth, neck, throat. See also: Psalms 5:10; Isaiah 3:16; Psalms 69:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 115:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Psalms 115:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 115:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 115:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 115:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
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.
8Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. 9O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.Psalms 115:7 Summary
Psalms 115:7 is saying that idols, or man-made objects that people worship, are completely useless and unable to do anything. They may have the shape of hands, feet, or a mouth, but they can't actually feel, walk, or speak. This is in stark contrast to our loving God who is all-powerful and able to help us (Psalms 121:1-2, Isaiah 40:28-31). We should put our trust in Him, not in things that can't even move or make a sound, and remember that He is our help and shield (Psalms 115:9).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Psalms 115:7?
The main point of Psalms 115:7 is to highlight the limitations and inability of idols to function or provide help, as they are inanimate objects (Psalms 115:5-8).
Why does the verse mention specific body parts like hands, feet, and throat?
The verse mentions specific body parts to emphasize the idols' complete inability to interact with the world, unlike the living God who is capable of action and intervention (Isaiah 46:7, Psalms 33:6).
How does this verse relate to our trust in God?
This verse serves as a warning against trusting in idols or man-made objects, and instead encourages us to trust in the living God who is our help and shield (Psalms 115:9, Deuteronomy 32:37-38).
What does it mean to 'clear their throats' in this context?
The phrase 'clear their throats' is likely an idiom for making a sound or speaking, emphasizing that the idols are completely unable to communicate or express themselves, unlike the God who speaks and reveals Himself to us (Psalms 29:7, Hebrews 1:1-2).
Reflection Questions
- How do I prioritize my trust in the living God over the things of this world?
- What are some 'idols' in my life that I may be trusting in, and how can I surrender them to God?
- In what ways can I remember and apply the truth of Psalms 115:7 in my daily life, especially when faced with challenges or uncertainties?
- How does the inability of idols to act or provide help compare to the power and provision of our loving God (Psalms 23:1-4, Matthew 6:25-34)?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of true worship and the object of my worship?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 115:7
They have hands, but they handle not,.... So as to feel any thing that is put into their hands; they cannot make use of their hands to stretch them out, and receive anything from their worshippers;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 115:7
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
Speak, or mutter, or make a noise, as this word signifies, . They are so far from speaking with their throat and other instruments of speech as men do, that they cannot make such an inarticulate and senseless sound with them as the beasts do.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
Psalms 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.Ver. 7. They have hands, but they handle not] Curious and artificial (for art is Nature’ s ape), but useless, and for show only. If Esculapius, or the lady of Loretto, restore the lame or the blind, it is the devil with his lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Feet have they, but they walk not] As those pictures in Plato made by Daedalus, which, if they were not bound, would fly away; or Vulcan’ s three-footed stools in Homer, which are feigned to have run on wheels of their own accord, to the meeting of the gods, and after that to return in like sort back again. The Tyrians besieged by Alexander chained up their god Hercules, that he might not go from them in that calamnity, and yet they were not delivered. Neither speak they through their throat] They do not so much as chatter like a crane, or mourn as a dove, Isaiah 38:14, but are dumb idols, as the apostle calleth them. These are things commonly known, but profitably thus inculcated, for the shaming of senseless idolaters; who yet are so bewitched that they will needs dote upon these gods of their own making. O vanas hominum mentes, &c., Oh the spirit of fornication, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
(7) Neither speak they.—The Hebrew implies not only the want of articulate speech, but of utterance at all.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 115:7
4–8. Do the heathen taunt us with the impotence of our God? What are their own gods? Nothing but their own handiwork, destitute of ordinary human senses, though represented with organs of sense. For similar sarcastic descriptions of idols and the contrast between them and the living God, see Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 10:1-16 Deuteronomy 4:28; Isaiah 2:20; Habakkuk 2:18-19; Wis 15:15. The passage recurs in Psalms 135:15-18. Observe how completely the Psalmist identifies the god with the image: it has no separate existence.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 115:7
7. Neither speak they through their throat—The speaking through the throat seems here to be contrasted with speaking with the tongue. Compare Psalms 35:28.