Psalms 115

This, which the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac and other versions join with the preceding psalm as one, is of such distinct style and theme as to establish its individuality, and determine its separate occasion. “It is a supplicatory song, with a hopeful prospect before it.” Delitzsch. A sharp issue had been taken between God and the idols of the nations, (Psalms 115:2,) which, while in its beginning it seemed to imperil the Hebrew nation, in its result discovered the emptiness and impotence of idolatry. A great and recent deliverance had been wrought, (Psalms 115:12,) wholly without human cause or merit, solely by the interposition of God. Psalms 115:1. Yet an instrumentality of some sort had been employed, in which the priesthood had been brought into singular prominence, as appears from the special notices of them, Psalms 115:10; Psalms 115:12. Compare the parallel passage, (Psalms 135:19-20,) where “the house of Levi” is added to that of Aaron. The prominence given to the vanity of idols, and the taunting challenge of idol-worshippers, (mentioned Psalms 115:2,) do not comport with the circumstances of the deliverance from Babylon, for that was not the result of an immediate public issue between the true God and idols. Cyrus was not an idolater, at least not in the sense described in this psalm, and the Hebrew people were not in reproach and contempt after the death of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:30,) and before the decree of Cyrus. Ezra 1:4. The psalm better befits the time of Sennacherib, but still more aptly the invasion of the Arabians in Jehoshaphat’s reign. 2 Chronicles 20:0. In this the issue was made distinctly between God and the idolatrous invaders; the victory was achieved without a battle, through prayer and the religious presentation of the people headed by the priests and the Levitical choristers. 2 Chronicles 20:19; 2 Chronicles 20:21.The psalm has the artistic structure of an antiphony. The whole band of the Levite singers are supposed to have chanted Psalms 115:1-8. Then a solo by the precentor, who chants the first line of Psalms 115:9-11 severally, the chorus responding in the second line, thus:

Precentor “O Israel, trust thou in the Lord.”

Chorus “He is their help and their shield,” etc.

Then follow Psalms 115:12-13, sung by the laity, who are answered by the full choir of the Levites in Psalms 115:14-18. The reader will compare the psalm, with this reference to the priesthood, with 2 Chronicles 20:18-22. Delitzsch says: “It is a prayer of Israel for God’s aid, probably in the presence of an expedition against heathen enemies;” but it is an exhortation to trust in Jehovah as well a strengthening themselves in him as if the victory were yet pending, though promissory and certain.

The strophic divisions are five. Psalms 115:1-2, are a call upon Jehovah to interfere for his name’s sake, and help them against their enemies; Psalms 115:3-8 present a contemptuous delineation of the vanity of idols; Psalms 115:9-11 are an exhortation to trust Jehovah; Psalms 115:12-14 contain an expression of confidence and a confession of help already given; Psalms 115:15-18 are a double blessing pronounced upon Israel, and upon the name of Jehovah for his supreme majesty and his condescending interference to save them from death. The whole closing with a hallelujah.