Psalm 115:2-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:10

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord ,.... The family of the tribe of Levi, that was separated from the rest, to minister in the priest's office, to offer gifts and sacrifices for the people, and to bless them; and therefore ought to trust in the Lord, and set a good example to others: as ministers of the word should, who are intrusted with much by the Lord, and should trust in him for much; for every supply of gifts and grace; and the rather, as they are to be examples of faith to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:11

Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord ,.... Which is said not to distinguish true saints from hypocrites, in Israel or in Aaron's house; rather to describe such who belonged to neither: but, as Aben Ezra interprets it, who feared the Lord, of every people and nation; or proselytes, as Jarchi explains it: the distinction between the people of the Jews, and the proselytes among them, under the character of those that feared the Lord, may be observed in Acts 13:26 . It takes in all true... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:2

Wherefore should the heathen say - This appears to refer to a time in which the Israelites had suffered some sad reverses, so as to be brought very low, and to be marked by the heathen. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:3

He hath done whatsover he hath pleased - There was too much cause for his abandoning us to our enemies; yet he still lives and rules in heaven and in earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:4

Their idols are silver, etc. - They are metal, stone, and wood. They are generally made in the form of man, but can neither see, hear, smell, feel, walk, nor speak. How brutish to trust in such! And next to these, in stupidity and inanity, must they be who form them, with the expectation of deriving any good from them. So obviously vain was the whole system of idolatry, that the more serious heathens ridiculed it, and it was a butt for the jests of their freethinkers and buffoons. How keen... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:9

O Israel - The body of the Jewish people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:10

O house of Aaron - All the different classes of the priesthood. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:11

Ye that fear the Lord - All real penitents, and sincere believers, trust to the Lord, in the almighty, omniscient, and infinitely good Jehovah. He is their help and shield - He is the succor, support, guardian, and defense of all who put their confidence in him. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:2

Verse 2 2Why should the heathen say, Where is now their God? They here express how God would maintain his glory in the preservation of the Church, which, if he permitted to be destroyed, would expose his name to the impious reproaches of the heathen, who would blaspheme the God of Israel, as being destitute of power, because he forsook his servants in the time of need. This is not done from the persuasion that God requires any such representation, but rather that the faithful may direct their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:3

Verse 3 3Surely our God is in heaven. (366) The faithful, with holy boldness, encourage themselves the more to prayer. Our prayers, we know, are worthless when we are agitated with doubts. Had that blasphemy penetrated their hearts, it would have inflicted a mortal wound. And hence they very opportunely guard against it, by discontinuing the train of their supplications. By-and-bye we shall consider the second clause of this verse in its proper place, where they scoff at the idols, and lewd... read more

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