Psalm 115:1-3 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory. God is prayed to help Israel, but not for their sakes, not to cover them with glory—rather for his own sake, that glory may rest on his Name, and himself , among the nations. For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. In order to be true to his qualities of mercifulness and truthfulness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1

Honor in honoring God. This psalm evidently belongs to the time when the restoration from Babylon was only partially accomplished. The little colony settled in Jerusalem and the district immediately round the city, were the scorn of the neighboring petty nations, which were all heathen, and of the Samaritans, whose assistance in building Jehovah's temple they, perhaps unwisely, had refused. This psalm in a way meets scorn with scorn. Jehovah's people scorn the idol-worship of the nations,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-11

True and false worship. In strong, nervous language we have here presented to us— I. THE MAJESTY AND THE POWER OF GOD . ( Psalms 115:3 .) The heathen, in their ignorance, want to know where Jehovah is ; they cannot see him. The reply is that he does not dwell in temples made with hands; that he is not confined to one building, larger or smaller; that no earthly trappings or grandeurs in any sacred city give any notion of his state. " Our God is in the heavens;" he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

Metrically, the psalm falls into four stanzas or strophes—the first of three verses ( Psalms 115:1-3 ), and the other three of five verses each ( Psalms 115:4-8 ; 9-13; 14-18). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The heathen taunt, and what came of it. To Israel, recently returned from exile, that taunt still seemed to sound in their ears. In this psalm, apparently a liturgical one, and used at high festivals in the service of the second temple, the mocking question of those who had held them in captivity—"Where is now their God?" was yet audible, through the keenness with which it was remembered. The sting and anguish of it still rankled in their hearts; and this psalm is the result of it.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The honor due to God. A call to the God of Israel, the living God, to rescue the honor of his Name from the reproach of the heathen. I. GOD IS WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST HONOR . In contrast to heathen idols. 1. Because of his loving-kindness or mercy . ( Psalms 115:1 .) 2. Because of his truth or faith fullness . ( Psalms 115:1 .) Emphatically "truth and grace came by Jesus Christ." 3. Though invisible , he reigns and rules from the exalted heaven ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:2

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? (comp. Psalms 42:3 , Psalms 42:10 ; Psalms 79:10 ). If Israel is un-helped, the heathen will triumph, and ask scornfully what has become of Israel's God? Is he unable, or is he unwilling, to deliver them? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:2

The taunt of the unbeliever. "Where is now their God?" (comp. Psalms 42:3 ). The expression is to be understood by the help of the associations of the psalm. It is always trying to be despised; always hard to work on faithfully under jeers and taunts. The neighbors of the restored exiles did not dare actually to interfere with them, because they were under the protection of the Persian authority; but they could taunt them and laugh at them. And it must be admitted that there was apparent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:3

But —rather, and —as though he would say, "and all the while, as the heathen scorn and question"— our God is in the heavens ; in his place, where he always is, watching over us. He hath done what soever he hath pleased. He has the will to help us, and he has the power to do whatsoever he pleases. read more

Albert Barnes

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:3

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

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