Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 115
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 115
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 115
"Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy lovingkindness, and for thy truth`s sake. Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased. Their idols 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; Noses have they, but they smell not; They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat. They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them." — Psalms 115:1-8 (ASV)
Let no opinion of our own merits have any place in our prayers or in our praises. All the good we do is done by the power of his grace; and all the good we have is the gift of his sheer mercy, and he must have all the praise. When we are in pursuit of any mercy and wrestling with God for it, we must take encouragement in prayer from God only. Lord, do so for us; not so that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but so that Your mercy and truth may have the glory of it.
The heathen gods are senseless things. They are the works of men's hands: the painter, the carver, the sculptor can put no life into them, therefore no sense. The psalmist thus shows the folly of the worshippers of idols.
"O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. Jehovah hath been mindful of us; he will bless [us]: He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great. Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children. Blessed are ye of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men. The dead praise not Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence; But we will bless Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye Jehovah. " — Psalms 115:9-18 (ASV)
It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for He is a help and a shield to those who trust in Him. Wherever there is a right fear of God, there may be cheerful faith in Him; those who reverence His word may rely upon it. He is always found faithful.
The greatest need His blessing, and it will not be denied to the humblest who fear Him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual blessings.
And the Lord is to be praised: His goodness is great, for He has given the earth to the children of men for their use. The souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burdens of the flesh, are still praising Him; but the dead body cannot praise God: death puts an end to our glorifying Him in this world of trial and conflict.
Others are dead, and an end is thus put to their service; therefore, we will seek to do the more for God. We will not only do it ourselves, but will also engage others to do it: to praise Him when we are gone.
Lord, You are the only object for faith and love. Help us to praise You while living and when dying, that Your name may be the first and last upon our lips; and let the sweet savor of Your name refresh our souls forever.
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