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Illustration for Psalm 115: Glory Belongs to God

Psalm 115

Glory Belongs to God

PraiseProtection

Not to us, but to God be all the glory! Other nations have idols made of gold and silver — but those idols can't speak, see, hear, or smell. Our God made the heavens and does whatever He pleases. He is our help and our shield!

  1. 1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your loving devotion and truth.
  2. 2Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"
  3. 3Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.
  4. 4But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
  5. 5They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see.
  6. 6They have ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell.
  7. 7They have hands but cannot feel, feet but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
  8. 8Those who make them will become like them, and so will all who trust in them.
  9. 9O house of Israel, trust in the LORD— He is their help and shield.
  10. 10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD— He is their help and shield.
  11. 11You who fear Him, trust in the LORD— He is their help and shield.
  12. 12The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron,
  13. 13He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.
  14. 14May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children.
  15. 15May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
  16. 16The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
  17. 17It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence;
  18. 18it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah!

What it means

The psalm pokes gentle fun at idols: they have mouths that cannot talk and eyes that cannot see. Then it warns that we slowly become like whatever we worship. It is worth asking what you give most of your attention to, because it is shaping you.

A little prayer

God, You are alive and You see and hear me — not like things made of gold and silver that can do nothing. Help me give my attention to You, so I become more like You. Amen.

Memory verse

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your loving devotion and truth.”

Psalm 115:1 (BSB)

It puts the credit somewhere else before anyone has a chance to claim it.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. The psalm says idols have mouths that cannot speak and eyes that cannot see. What do people trust in today that cannot do anything?
  2. It says people become like what they trust. What does that mean?
  3. The first line says 'not to us, but to Your name be glory'. When is it hard to say that?
  4. What is something you nearly trusted that let you down?

Try this

Eyes that do not see

Line up three objects people rely on — a phone, some money, a trophy. Ask of each: can it hear me, can it help me, will it last? Read verses 4 to 8.

You will need: Three objects.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)