The idols of other nations are contrasted with the living God (vs 2–8). Our own world has many idols too! Using these verses, consider how you might answer someone who asks why they should worship the Lord and not idols of status, wealth or power. The words ‘he is their help and shield’ occur three times in verses 9 to 11: God provides help for his people and protects them. But idols cannot help because they have no power. These words challenge us today too with our tendency towards self-reliance. Only God can be our ‘help and shield’.

Look at verses 12 to 15. Notice how often the words ‘bless’ or ‘blessed’ occur. The psalmist’s words move from a sense of surviving (vs 9–11) to one of thriving. God gives abundantly to all his people. Verse 15 provides the reason for the declaration of praise in verse 1. 

Praising the Lord continues (vs 16–18). Just as idols (see vs 4–8) are unable to praise God, neither can the dead (v 17). It is to the living that the Maker of heaven and earth gifts the earth; the living God gives help and provides protection and blessing to them. It is the living who praise the Lord now and always (v 18).
 

‘Love divine, all loves excelling, / joy of heaven to earth come down.’¹

Psalm 115 is a hymn of praise with a difference. It praises God in the normal ways by celebrating God’s love and faithfulness (v 1), his help and protection (vs 9–11) and his blessing (vs 12–15). However, in verses 2–8, the psalmist extols Israel’s God by comparing him with the idols of other nations. In a lovely self-contained satire, he mocks the idea of worshipping an inanimate object which has all the body parts of a living deity but is unable to use them. It is intended to mock the gods of the nations, who are reduced to becoming statues or figurines. This mocking is not just limited to the idols themselves but applies to all those who trust in them too. 

The satire is such a poignant critique that it is repeated in Psalm 135. Highlighting the inadequacy of God’s rivals only goes to strengthen the worthiness of the living, loving Lord. We have a different, dynamic deity who is not just alive but is the author of life itself. This is why verses 9–11 of Psalm 115 exhort us three times to trust in God who brings life to us.

The final verses of the psalm (vs 16–18) remind us that we are responsible for worship. The Creator of the heavens has given us the earth to dwell in and we have voices which can give God praise. This is in stark contrast to those who have died, who are unable to praise God in the place of silence. The psalm challenges us to worship God because he is living and worthy of praise and not just a piece of metal. We should worship him, in private and in public, in words and actions, individually and corporately. 

Reflect on how you give God praise. In prayer or in song? Alone or with others? Pick one part of God’s character that you want to give thanks for today.

¹ Charles Wesley, 1747