Psalm 135:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 135:15-21

The design of these verses is, I. To arm the people of God against idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods they were that the heathen worshipped, as we had it before, Ps. 115:4-8 1. They were gods of their own making; being so, they could have no power but what their makers gave them, and then what power could their makers receive from them? The images were the work of men's hands, and the deities that were supposed to inform them were as much the creatures of men's fancy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 135:15

The idols of the Heathen are silver and gold ,.... This, with what follows, is observed, to show that when God judges his people, and takes vengeance on their enemies, the idols they serve will not be able to protect them, and deliver them out of his hands; and also to prove what is before asserted, that our Jehovah is great above all gods, Psalm 135:5 ; the matter of which they are made is at best gold and silver, which are the dust and metals of the earth, or what the prophet calls... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:15

The idols of the heathen - This verse and the following, to the end of the 18th, are almost word for word the same as Psalm 115:4-8 ; (note), where see the notes. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 135:15

Verse 15 15.The images of the nations, etc. As the whole of this part of the Psalm has been explained elsewhere, it is needless to insist upon it, and repetition might be felt irksome by the reader. I shall only in a few words, therefore, show what is the scope of the Psalmist. In upbraiding the stupidity of the heathen, who thought that they could not have God near them in any other way than by resorting to idol worship, he reminds the Israelites of the signal mercy which they had enjoyed, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

1. His mercies to Israel ( Psalms 135:4 , Psalms 135:14 ). 2. His greatness in nature ( Psalms 135:5-7 ) and in history ( Psalms 135:8-12 ). 3. His infinite superiority to idols ( Psalms 135:15-18 ). Metrically divided into three stanzas of seven verses each ( Psalms 135:1-7 ; 8-14; and 15-21). A "Hallelujah psalm" ( Psalms 135:1 , Psalms 135:21 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

Reasons for the worship and service of God. The psalm suggests to us— I. TWO REASONS FOR PRAISING GOD . ( Psalms 135:1-4 .) 1. God is worthy of our utmost reverence. "The Lord is good." The truth is too familiar to us to strike us; but if we contrast the character of the God whom we worship with that of the deities of heathen lands (see Psalms 135:15-18 ), we see and feel how great is our privilege, how excellent a thing it is to pay reverent homage to One who is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

The march of mercy. This psalm traces the progress of God's mercy to his people from its source in the Divine nature on to its complete fulfillment in their loving, glad allegiance, the expression of which begins and ends the psalm. I. IT BEGINS IN THE INHERENT NATURE OF GOD HIMSELF . ( Psalms 135:3 .) "The Lord is good." From this proceeds all the rest, and in this all that follows finds its explanation. That "God is love" is, after all, the key which fits the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:1-21

God's praises. "An exhortation to the priests and Levites who wait in the sanctuary to praise Jehovah, both because of his goodness in choosing Israel to be his people, and because of his greatness, and the almighty power which he has shown, in his dominion over the world of nature, and in the overthrow of all the enemies of his people. Then his abiding majesty is contrasted with the nothingness of the idols of the heathen." I. THE GENERAL GROUNDS OF THE PRAISE OF GOD .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:15-17

Irresponsible idols. (See Psalms 115:4-8 .) As a psalm of the restored nation, this expresses the strong feeling cherished concerning the idols of surrounding small kingdoms; and the feeling was all the more bitter because those kingdoms were distressing the returned exiles by their active enmity. In denouncing their gods, the exiles intended covertly to denounce them . The following sentences are found in the Koran ( Psalms 2:2 ): "The unbelievers are like unto one who crieth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 135:15-18

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not. They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them . A condensed recitation of Psalms 115:4-8 (comp. Jeremiah 10:3-5 ). In its present place it is a sort of exposition of Psalms 115:5 . read more

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