Psalm 115:1-3 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 115:1-8

Sufficient care is here taken to answer both the pretensions of self and the reproaches of idolaters. I. Boasting is here for ever excluded, Ps. 115:1. Let no opinion of our own merits have any room either in our prayers or in our praises, but let both centre in God's glory. 1. Have we received any mercy, gone through any service, or gained any success? We must not assume the glory of it to ourselves, but ascribe it wholly to God. We must not imagine that we do any thing for God by our own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory ,.... There is no glory due to men; no, not to the best of men, not to be given them on any account whatever; neither on account of things natural, civil, and temporal, nor on account of things spiritual and eternal; but all to be given to the Lord: for, as for their beings and the preservation of them, with all the mercies of life, food, raiment, &c.; they are not of themselves, but of the Lord; and so are the salvation of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:2

Wherefore should the Heathen say ,.... The nations about Israel, the nations of the world; the Gentiles in any age; the Papists in ours, sometimes called the Heathen, Psalm 10:16 . The church expostulates with the Lord why those should be suffered to say, in a reproachful, insulting, manner, and by way of triumph, where is now their God ? that they have boasted of would help them; in whom they have put their trust and confidence; why does not he help them, as he has promised, and they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:3

But our God is in the heavens ,.... His habitation is in the heavens, as the Targum; the Septuagint and Arabic versions add, "and in earth": he is in both, and fills both with his presence; and cannot be contained in either. He is the Maker and Possessor of heaven and earth; the one is his throne, and the other is his footstool: he dwells in the highest heaven, and overlooks all persons and things on earth, and overrules all; he is higher than the highest, and his kingdom ruleth over all. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:1

Not unto us, O Lord - We take no merit to ourselves; as thine is the kingdom, and the power in that kingdom, so is thy glory. For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake - Thy mercy gave thy promise, thy truth fulfilled it. 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

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1Not unto us, O Jehovah! It is not certain by whom, or at what time, this psalm was composed. (365) We learn from the first part of it, that the faithful betake themselves to God, in circumstances of extreme distress. They do not make known their desires in plain words, but indirectly hint at the nature of their request. They openly disclaim all merit, and all hope of obtaining deliverance otherwise than God’s doing it from a sole regard to his own glory, for these things are... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 115:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:1

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

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

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

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

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

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