Psalm 115:1 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 115:1

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory - This apparently abrupt commencement of the psalm was undoubtedly in reference to some circumstances which would be well understood at the time when the psalm was composed, but which cannot be definitely ascertained now. It seems to have been in view of some existing troubles, and the language at the same time expresses a hope of the divine interposition, and a feeling that the praise of such interposition would belong wholly to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 115:1-2

Psalms 115:1-2. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us By the repetition of these words the psalmist humbly expresses his sense of the unworthiness of the Jews to receive the signal blessings with which the Lord had favoured them; or rather, which they were now entreating him to bestow upon them, and which they expected to receive. For, as Dr. Horne justly observes, “it is evident from these two verses, that the Psalm is not a thanksgiving for victory, but a petition for deliverance.” Unto thy... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

Psalms 115-117 Saved from deathGod was always faithful to Israel, though the Israelites were often unfaithful to him. Their sins brought God’s punishment upon them, causing their pagan neighbours to mock them with the accusation that their God was unable to help them and had deserted them (115:1-2). The Israelites reply that their God is alive and in full control. The pagan gods, by contrast, are useless, and the reason they are useless is that they are lifeless. Those who trust in them will... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 115:1

Not. Hebrew. l'o (not 'al). Supply Ellipsis thus:"Not to us LORD, not to us [belongeth glory] but to Thy name give the glory". LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. and. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 115:1

PSALM 115GOD'S INFINITE EXCELLENCE ABOVE HEATHEN IDOLSAlthough the date and occasion of this psalm cannot be certainly determined, the scholarly guesses on the subject are of interest. "Weiser favored a pre-exilic date," but McCullough thought that the evidence, "Favors the period of the Second Temple."[1] According to Leupold, "The time of composition was shortly after the return from Babylon."[2] Briggs identified the psalm, "With the Greek Period."[3] McCaw rejected the later dates,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 115:1

Psalms 115:0. Because God is truly glorious, and idols are vanity, the Psalmist exhorteth to confidence in him. God is to be praised for his blessings. THERE is great reason to think that this psalm was composed in some time of great distress, when the pagan enemies of the Jews began to boast as if their gods were too powerful for the God of Israel: but by whom it was made, or on what particular occasion, there are so many conjectures, says Bishop Patrick, that it will be no presumption to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 115:1

1-3. The vindication of God's mercy and faithfulness (Psalms 25:10; Psalms 36:6) is the "glory" of His "name," which is desired to be illustrated in the deliverance of His people, as the implied mode of its manifestation. In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as enthroned in the heaven (Psalms 2:4; Psalms 11:4) is avowed. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 115:1-2

1. The need for God to vindicate Himself 115:1-2The psalmist called on God to glorify Himself for His own sake, in contrast to glorifying His people. Evidently the pagan nations were ridiculing Yahweh for His inactivity.The Christian statesman William Wilberforce marked the passing of his bill to abolish the slave trade in England by meditating on Psalms 115:1. [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 404.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 115:1-18

Psalms 115This anonymous psalm instructs God’s people to trust in the Lord rather than in idols."Psalms 115 is one psalm with Psalms 114 in the LXX and the Vulgate. However, there is little doubt that they form two separate psalms. The motifs and genre of the psalms are too different. Psalms 114 is in the form of a hymn describing the wonder of Israel’s redemption from Egypt, whereas the literary forms of Psalms 115 are quite varied and include lament, liturgy, and confidence."Psalms 115 may be... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:1-18

In LXX 114, 115 are one Ps., while 116 is divided into two. Apparently Psalms 115 was written to be sung antiphonally: cp. the responses in Psalms 115:9-10, Psalms 115:11—the first eight and the last three verses to be sung by the congregation. Probably it is a very late Ps. The writer proclaims the vanity of idols, and ascribes all help and blessing to Jehovah alone.1. Israel is reviled by idolatrous foreigners, and appeals to God to vindicate His honour.3. God is the God of heaven, therefore... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 115:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 115:1-2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 115:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 115:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 115:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 115:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 115:1-2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 115:1-18

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:1-18

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