Psalm 115:1 KJV,ASV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 115:1

(1) Not unto us . . .—This rejection of all self-praise is implied in all Hebrew poetry.Mercy . . . truth . . .—Both a distinct reference to the covenant. Both these covenanted blessings were assailed by the heathen taunt, “Where is now their God?”It is difficult for us to reproduce in imagination the apparent triumph, which the idolater, who could point to his deity, felt he had over the worshipper of the invisible God, when outward events seemed to be going against the latter. But we may... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 115:1-18

Psalms 115:0 Non Nobis Domine was the battle-song of the heroic John Sobieski, King of Poland, 12 September, 1683, when he marched down from the heights of Kalenberg, and defeated the immense army of the Turks which was besieging Vienna, and had reduced it to the last extremity. It was a turning-point in history, the final great Eastern invasion which has thundered at that gate of Europe; and ever since, the Turkish power and Mohammedan faith have been on the wane. There was indescribable... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

Psalms 115:1-18ISRAEL is in straits from heathen enemies, and cries to Jehovah to vindicate His own Name by delivering it. Strengthened by faith, which has been stung into action by taunts aimed at both the nation and its Protector, the psalmist triumphantly contrasts Jehovah in the heavens, moving all things according to His will, with idols which had the semblance of powers the reality of which was not theirs. Sarcastic contempt, indignation, and profound insight into the effect of idolatry... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 115:1-18

Psalms 115:0 Who Their God is? 1. Israel’s God (Psalms 115:1-3 ) 2. In Contrast with Idols (Psalms 115:4-8 ) 3. O Israel Trust in the Lord (Psalms 115:9-18 ) Here Israel acknowledges her Saviour-Lord, unto Him alone is glory due. The nations had asked, Where is now their God? (Psalms 43:3 ; Psalms 79:10 ) The Contrast between the God of Israel and the dumb idols of the nations follows. But Israel’s God, the Lord, who has delivered them, is the living God and therefore the exhortation to... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 115:1

115:1 Not {a} unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth’s sake.(a) Because God promised to deliver them, not for their sakes, but for his Name, Isaiah 48:11, therefore they ground their prayer on this promise. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The first psalm in this lesson is one of the imprecatory or cursing psalms, in the interpretation of which we should keep in mind the principles already stated: (1) that the writer speaks as a prophet; (2) that the enemies are not merely personal to him but enemies of God; (3) that they are not individuals so much as nations; and (4) that they are considered at a time when the incorrigible condition has been reached, and they have become permanently fixed in opposition to the Most High. The... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 115:1-18

False Religions Psa 115:8 Thus our manhood comes out of our religion. Whether that religion is false or true, it shows itself in the quality of manhood which it creates. We may therefore begin our religious arguments from the human side. All men cannot begin from the metaphysical points. Only a few human minds really care anything for pure metaphysics. Abstract preachers, therefore, preach to emptiness: concrete preachers may get at least an occasional hearing. In the Christian religion, and... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 115:1

CONTENTS This is a psalm of praise, wherein the glory of God, as opposed to idols, and the idolatry and self-confidence of the human heart, is strikingly set forth. Psalms 115:1 How truly this becomes the language of the believer! when the heart is full of Christ, all creature confidences are done away. And, Reader, do observe how the mercy of God in Christ is blended with God's covenant-engagements. For what is God's mercy but the mercy promised? And in what is redemption founded, but God's... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 115:1

or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 10. Alleluia is not in Hebrew. There seems no necessity to join this psalm with the preceding, as the subject is not so much alike as that of many others, which are distinct pieces. St. Paul quotes two passages in their literal sense, (Berthier) as applicable to all who thirst after a future life. It may relate also (Haydock) to the captives returning, (St. Chrysostom; Calmet) to Ezechias, (Ven. Bede) or to the Machabees. (Theodoret) --- Exceedingly. We must not be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:1-8

1-8 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 mere mercy, and he must have all the praise. Are we 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 that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but that they mercy and truth may have the glory of it. The heathen gods are... read more