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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
plus an explanation with links

2015 May 27



High Altar (1684)
Heinrich Meyring (1628-1723)
Flemish Baroque Style
San Moise Venice, Venice, Italy
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: In Psalm 115 the Psalmist contrasts the LORD with idols; and he proclaims that God alone will bless, help, and defend those who fear him. The image above shows God (at the top of the image) giving the laws of true worship to Moses, in contrast to those who were preparing (at the bottom of the image) to indulge in false worship by sacrificing to the golden calf idol.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Hallel Psalms: The Egyptian Hallel -- Psalms 113-118: Psalm 113. Psalm 114. Psalm 115. Psalm 116. Psalm 117. Psalm 118. The Great Hallel [Group of Psalms] -- Psalms 118-136: Psalm 118. Psalm 119. Psalm 120. Psalm 121. Psalm 122. Psalm 123. Psalm 124. Psalm 125. Psalm 126. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 129. Psalm 130. Psalm 131. Psalm 132. Psalm 133. Psalm 134. Psalm 135. Psalm 136. The Great Hallel [Single Psalm] -- Psalm 136. An Individual Hallel -- Psalm 145. The Concluding Hallel -- Psalms 146-150: Psalm 146. Psalm 147. Psalm 148. Psalm 149. Psalm 150. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 115 - #1. Psalm 115 - #2. Psalm 115 - #3. Psalm 115 - #4. ]

     The Psalmist asks that the LORD, not his people, will get glory because of his mercy and his truth (1). He asks why the heathen should say, Where is their God? But God is in the heavens; and he did whatever he pleased (2-3). By contrast, the idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths but cannot speak. They have eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear. They have noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot handle anything. They have feet but cannot walk. They cannot speak through their throat. They who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them. (4-8). The Psalmist then tells Israel to trust in the LORD because he is their help and shield. He says the same to the house of Aaron (the priests and Levites). And he says the same to all who fear the LORD (9-11). The Psalmist assures his hearers that the LORD has been mindful of us, that he will bless us, that he will bless Israel, that he will bless the house of Aaron, and that he will bless all who fear him. The LORD will increase us and our children (12-14). We are blessed by the LORD who made heaven and earth. In fact, even though the heavens are his, he has given the whole earth to us (15-16). The dead and those who go down to silence do not praise the LORD; but we will bless the LORD (implying that we will not die); and we will do so from this time forth and for evermore (17-18).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK FIVE OF FIVE:

Psalms 107-150.


Psalm 115

1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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