Psalms 135:18
Psalms 135:18 in Multiple Translations
Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who puts his hope in them.
Those who make idols will become just like them, and so will everyone who trusts in them.
They that make them, are like vnto them: so are all that trust in them.
Like them are their makers, Every one who is trusting in them.
Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.
They that make them are like them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
And slew strong kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The people who make those idols are as powerless as those idols, and those who trust in those idols can accomplish no more than their idols can!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:18
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 135:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּ֭מוֹ/הֶם
יִהְי֣וּ
עֹשֵׂי/הֶ֑ם
כֹּ֭ל
אֲשֶׁר
בֹּטֵ֣חַ
בָּ/הֶֽם
כְּ֭מוֹ/הֶם
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep | Suff
יִהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עֹשֵׂי/הֶ֑ם
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal | Suff
כֹּ֭ל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בֹּטֵ֣חַ
bâṭach
H982
to trust
V-Qal
בָּ/הֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:18
כְּ֭מוֹ/הֶם
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep | Suff
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
יִהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עֹשֵׂי/הֶ֑ם
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal | Suff
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כֹּ֭ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בֹּטֵ֣חַ
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
V-Qal
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
בָּ/הֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 135:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 135:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:18
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:18
- Sermons on Psalms 135:18
Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD
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.
19O house of Israel, bless the LORD; O house of Aaron, bless the LORD; 20O house of Levi, bless the LORD; you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 115:8 | Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. |
| 2 | Isaiah 44:18–20 | They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” |
| 3 | Jeremiah 10:8 | But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 | The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
| 5 | Psalms 97:7 | All worshipers of images are put to shame— those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods! |
Psalms 135:18 Summary
[This verse is saying that when we create idols and trust in them, we become like them - empty and lifeless. This is because idols are just man-made objects and cannot give us true life or purpose, as seen in Psalms 135:16-17. On the other hand, when we trust in the living God, we can experience true life and purpose, as encouraged in John 10:10 and Jeremiah 17:5-8. By trusting in God, we can become more like Him, full of life and love.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to become like the idols we create?
This verse suggests that when we create and worship idols, we become like them - lifeless and devoid of true spiritual life, as seen in Psalms 135:16-17 where idols are described as having no ability to speak, see, or hear. This is also supported by Romans 1:23, which states that idolaters exchange the glory of God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Is this verse saying that all artists or craftsmen are idolaters?
No, the Bible is not condemning the act of creating or crafting in itself, but rather the act of creating idols to worship, as seen in Exodus 20:4 which prohibits making idols for worship. The focus is on the heart's intention and the purpose behind the creation.
How does trusting in idols affect our relationship with God?
Trusting in idols instead of God leads to spiritual stagnation and separation from God, as stated in Psalms 115:8 which says that those who make idols will be like them, and in Isaiah 42:17 which says that those who trust in idols will be turned back in utter shame.
What is the alternative to trusting in idols?
The alternative is to trust in the living God, as seen in the surrounding verses, Psalms 135:19-20, where the people of God are called to bless the LORD, indicating a shift from trusting in lifeless idols to trusting in the living, breathing God of the universe, as also encouraged in Jeremiah 17:5-8.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I be tempted to create or worship idols in my own life, and how can I guard against this?
- How does my trust in God affect my daily life and relationships, and are there areas where I am trusting in idols instead of Him?
- What are some modern-day idols that people may unknowingly worship, and how can I recognize them in my own life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God and a greater awareness of His presence in my life, as encouraged in Psalms 16:8-11?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:18
They that make them are like unto them,.... Are as blind, stupid, and senseless as they; or "let them that make them", c.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:18
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. They that make them are like unto them. A people never rise above the lord of their gods, which are to them their better nature.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:18
Psalms 135:18 They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them.Ver. 18. They that make them, &c.] See Psalms 115:8.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:18
18. Like unto them shall their makers become, Even everyone that trusteth in them.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:18
15-18. A repetition, with some verbal alterations, of Psalms 115:4-8, which see.
Sermons on Psalms 135:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Things That Destroy Godly Character by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the dangers of idolatry and the importance of recognizing how it can distort our character and relationship with God. He explains that trials and tribulat |
|
Letter 2 by St. Athanasius | St. Athanasius emphasizes the joy of Easter and the importance of living according to the teachings of Christ and the saints. He encourages believers to not only hear the Gospel bu |
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Psalms 115:8 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes that every person has an inherent capacity for God and is bound to an authority, which often leads to idolatry. He identifies three primary forms of idolatry |
|
The Branch by Andrew Murray | The preacher delves into the meaning of 'ungodly' (asebes), describing it as a lack of interest in God and a lifestyle inconsistent with reverence for Him. The term is used in vari |
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(Biographies) Athanasius by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the gospel in a way that challenges and transforms people's understanding. He cautions against simply presentin |
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"Hebrews" Monday - Part 3 (Keswick Convention 2003) by Charles Price | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of connecting with the heart of God. He explains that through the indwelling presence of God in our hearts and lives, we becom |
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A Mirror Covered With Water by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God and being transformed by His word. He challenges the audience to examine their spir |