Psalms 135:16

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Psalms 135:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

King James Version KJV

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

American Standard Version ASV

They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;

Bible in Basic English BBE

They have mouths, but no voice, they have eyes, but they do not see;

Free Bible Version FBV

They have mouths, but can't speak; they have eyes, but can't see.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They haue a mouth, and speake not: they haue eyes and see not.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

A mouth they have, and they speak not, Eyes they have, and they see not,

World English Bible WEB

They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who led his people through the desert: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Translation for Translators T4T

Their idols have mouths, but they cannot say anything; they have eyes, but they cannot see anything.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:16

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 135:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB פֶּֽה לָ֭/הֶם וְ/לֹ֣א יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ עֵינַ֥יִם לָ֝/הֶ֗ם וְ/לֹ֣א יִרְאֽוּ

פֶּֽה peh H6310 lip N-ms

לָ֭/הֶם Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Imperf-3mp

עֵינַ֥יִם ʻayin H5869 eye N-cd

לָ֝/הֶ֗ם Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִרְאֽוּ râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:16

פֶּֽה peh H6310 "lip" N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.

Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.

לָ֭/הֶם "" Prep | Suff

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.

יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Imperf-3mp

To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.

Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.

עֵינַ֥יִם ʻayin H5869 "eye" N-cd

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

לָ֝/הֶ֗ם "" Prep | Suff

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.

יִרְאֽוּ râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

Study Notes — Psalms 135:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 135:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:16
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 135:16
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:16
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:16
Sermons on Psalms 135:16

Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD

14For the LORD will vindicate His people and will have compassion on His servants. 15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

16They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

17they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. 18Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 13:14–16	In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
2	Isaiah 6:10	Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. ”

Psalms 135:16 Summary

Psalms 135:16 teaches us that idols, whether made of silver, gold, or other materials, are powerless and unable to speak or see. This is in stark contrast to our all-powerful and all-knowing God, who sees and hears all things (Psalms 94:9 and Proverbs 15:3). This verse reminds us to trust in the living God, who is our Creator and Savior, rather than in lifeless idols or created things (Psalms 100:3 and Jeremiah 10:10). By recognizing the powerlessness of idols, we can avoid the temptation to trust in them and instead seek a personal relationship with our loving God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main point of Psalms 135:16?

The main point of Psalms 135:16 is to highlight the inability of idols to speak or see, emphasizing their powerlessness and uselessness, as also seen in Isaiah 46:7 and Psalms 115:5-7.

Why does the Bible emphasize the inability of idols to speak or see?

The Bible emphasizes the inability of idols to speak or see to contrast them with the living God, who sees and hears all things, as stated in Psalms 94:9 and Proverbs 15:3.

What does this verse teach us about the nature of idols?

This verse teaches us that idols are mere creations of human hands, devoid of life or power, as also stated in Psalms 135:15 and Isaiah 44:9-20.

How does this verse relate to our worship and trust in God?

This verse reminds us to worship and trust in the living God, who is all-powerful and all-knowing, rather than in idols or created things, as encouraged in Psalms 100:3 and Jeremiah 10:10.

Reflection Questions

What are some modern-day idols that we may be tempted to trust in, and how can we redirect our trust to the living God?
How does the powerlessness of idols compare to the power and wisdom of our Creator, as seen in Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 40:28?
In what ways can we apply the truth of this verse to our daily lives, avoiding the temptation to trust in created things rather than the Creator, as warned in Romans 1:25?
What does this verse teach us about the importance of seeking a personal relationship with the living God, rather than relying on lifeless idols or rituals, as emphasized in Matthew 22:37 and John 17:3?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:16

They have mouths, but they speak not,.... Return no answer to the request and petition of their votaries; [See comments on Psalms 115:5]; eyes have they, but they see not; the same is observed in the above place, which see.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:16

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; No JFB commentary on this verse.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:16

Psalms 135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;Ver. 16. The idols of the heathen] See Psalms 115:4-6, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 135:16

(15, 16) With slight variations from Psalms 115:4-8.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:16

13–18. Jehovah is eternally the same, and will not forget His people; whereas the impotent gods of the heathen cannot protect their worshippers.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:16

15-18. A repetition, with some verbal alterations, of Psalms 115:4-8, which see.

Sermons on Psalms 135:16

	Sermon	Description
	(In the Word) 02 - Spiritual Warfare and the Covenant by Milton Green	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving revelation from the Word of God. He encourages the listeners to let go of old traditions and teachings that may c
	The Holiness of God by James White	In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a personal anecdote about giving away most of his clothes. He then expresses his humility as a preacher and acknowledges that there ar
	Holl-08 Israel's Death and Resurrection by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the prophetic destiny that believers have. He highlights the importance of understanding and embracing this desti
	The Last Farthing by George MacDonald	George MacDonald preaches about the profound and often misunderstood nature of parables, emphasizing that they are meant to stir the conscience and will, not just the intellect. He
	The Voice of Isaiah (Continued) by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Prophet Isaiah's voice in the New Testament, noting that his prophecies are often linked to Israel's rejection of God's messenge
	Prepared Instrument by Carl Armerding	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the theme of being a prepared soul and instrument for God's message. He emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding the Word of God
	(Christ in Isaiah) Part 4 by Tom Orr	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of the servant in the book of Isaiah, specifically in chapters 52 and 53. The preacher emphasizes the importance of spreading th