Psalm 115:4-7 NIV

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 115:4

Their idols are silver and gold ,.... The idols of the Gentiles; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions. The gods they serve and worship are not in the heavens; but the matter of which they are made is dug out of the earth: and this is the greatest excellency and value that there is in them; and such as are made of these are of the greatest worth, and yet only for the matter of them, otherwise useless and inanimate statues; such are the idols of the Papists, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:5

They have mouths, but they speak not ,.... These idols are carved with mouths, but they make no use of them; if any cry to them for they cannot answer them, nor save them from their troubles. Baal's priests cried to their idol, but was no voice heard, nor answer returned; they are rightly called dumb idols, Habakkuk 2:18 , 1 Kings 18:26 , but our God in the heavens, when his people cry to him, he answers them, and sends them relief; and tells them his grace is sufficient for them, and so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:6

They have ears, but they hear not ,.... The makers of them have taken care to place a pair of ears to their heads, but could not convey the faculty of hearing to them; so that though their priests may cry from morning to noon, as Baal's worshippers did, saying, O Baal, hear us; and even tonight, and one day and night after another, nothing is heard, 1 Kings 18:26 . Indeed the image of Jupiter at Crete was made without ears; because it was thought unbecoming that he, who was prince and lord... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:7

They have hands, but they handle not ,.... So as to feel any thing that is put into their hands; they cannot make use of their hands to stretch them out, and receive anything from their worshippers; nor can they give anything to them: but our God receives and accepts the sacrifices of his people, their prayers and their praises; and opens his hand, and liberally supplies their wants, both in providence and grace. Feet have they, but they walk not ; cannot stir from the place where they... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:4

Verse 4 4Their idols This contrast is introduced for the purpose of confirming the faith of the godly, by which they repose upon God alone; because, excepting him, all that the minds of men imagine of divinity is the invention of folly and delusion. To know the error and the madness of the world certainly contributes in no small degree to the confirmation of true godliness; while, on the other hand, a God is presented to us, whom we know assuredly to be the maker of heaven and earth, and whom... 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:7

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

Group of Brands