# Psalm 115 📖: To Your Name Be Glory
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#💬 Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#📂 Internal Notes]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name bring honor,
for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.
[[#Verse 02.]] Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
[[#Verse 03.]] Our God is in heaven.
He does whatever he pleases.
[[#Verse 04.]] Their idols are made of silver and gold—
they are man-made.
[[#Verse 05.]] They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
[[#Verse 06.]] ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell,
[[#Verse 07.]] hands, but cannot touch,
feet, but cannot walk.
They cannot even clear their throats.
[[#Verse 08.]] Those who make them will end up like them,
as will everyone who trusts in them.
[[#Verse 09.]] O Israel, trust in the Lord.
He is their deliverer and protector.
[[#Verse 10.]] O family of Aaron, trust in the Lord.
He is their deliverer and protector.
[[#Verse 11.]] You loyal followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord.
He is their deliverer and protector.
[[#Verse 12.]] The Lord takes notice of us; he will bless—
he will bless the family of Israel,
he will bless the family of Aaron.
[[#Verse 13.]] He will bless his loyal followers,
both young and old.
[[#Verse 14.]] May he increase your numbers,
yours and your children’s.
[[#Verse 15.]] May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Creator of heaven and earth.
[[#Verse 16.]] The heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
[[#Verse 17.]] The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.
[[#Verse 18.]] But we will praise the Lord
now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
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###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
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###### Verse 15.
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###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Psalm 115 is part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118) sung at Passover.
2. The opening words in Latin, *Non nobis, Domine* ("Not to us, O Lord"), became a famous hymn of thanksgiving after victories. Shakespeare's *Henry V* has it sung after the battle of Agincourt.
3. The question "Where is their God?" (115:2) was a common taunt from the nations (Psalm 42:3; Joel 2:17).
4. The description of idols in 115:4-8 is repeated almost word for word in Psalm 135:15-18.
5. Ancient idols were often overlaid with silver and gold (115:4; Isaiah 40:19).
6. Three groups are called to trust the Lord: Israel, the house of Aaron (the priests), and those who fear the Lord (115:9-11).
7. The line about the Lord being their help and shield is repeated three times (115:9-11).
8. "Those who fear the Lord" may include Gentile worshipers who joined Israel, later called "God-fearers" (Acts 10:2).
9. The heavens belong to the Lord, but He has given the earth to people (115:16), echoing Genesis 1:28.
10. The psalm ends with a vow to praise the Lord now and forever, closing with "Praise the Lord" (115:18).
## 🧠 Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the true image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Idols have mouths that cannot speak (115:5), but God has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 💬 Discussion Questions
1. The psalm opens by refusing glory for ourselves and giving it all to God (115:1). Where are you tempted to take credit that belongs to God?
2. Those who make idols become like them (115:8). How have you seen that we become like what we worship?
3. Israel, the priests, and all who fear the Lord are called to trust Him (115:9-11). What does it look like for you to trust Him as your help and shield this week?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- 📖 verse 1: Not to us, Lord, but to Your name bring glory, because of Your loyal love and faithfulness.
- 📖 verses 4-8: Idols have mouths, eyes, and ears but cannot speak, see, or hear, and their makers become like them.
- 📖 verse 11: All who fear the Lord should trust Him; He is their helper and shield.
## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference
- 🔗 [[Isaiah 44#Verse 09.|Isaiah 44:9-20]] - The foolishness of making idols.
- 🔗 [[Psalm 135#Verse 15.|Psalm 135:15-18]] - The idols of the nations.
- 🔗 [[Colossians 01#Verse 15.|Colossians 1:15]] - Christ is the image of the invisible God.
- 🔗 [[1 John 05#Verse 21.|1 John 5:21]] - Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
- 🔗 [[Isaiah 42#Verse 08.|Isaiah 42:8]] - I will not give My glory to another.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
📝 SOAP: [[Psalm 115- SOAP|You Become Who You Hang Around]]
## 📂 Internal Notes