Psalm 115: Not Unto Us, O Lord
Best for: Worship, combating idolatry, humility
Psalm 115 ("Not Unto Us, O Lord") is a praise psalm best read for worship, combating idolatry, humility. Psalm 115 deflects all glory from human achievement to God alone — 'Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.' It mocks idols that have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and warns…
Overview
Psalm 115 deflects all glory from human achievement to God alone — 'Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.' It mocks idols that have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and warns that those who make them become like them. But Israel trusts in the Lord — He is their help and shield. He blesses those who fear Him, small and great.
Key Verses
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."— Psalm 115:1 (KJV)
"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."— Psalm 115:3 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
You become like what you worship. If you worship dead idols, you become spiritually dead. If you worship the living God, you come alive. This psalm asks: where does your glory go?
Historical Context
A polemic against idolatry: 'Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths but they speak not.' The psalm's logic is devastating: you become like what you worship. Those who make idols become as senseless as the idols themselves.
How to Apply This Today
You become like what you worship. If you worship money, you become calculating. If you worship approval, you become anxious. If you worship power, you become controlling. Audit your functional gods and consider what they're turning you into. Only worshiping the true God makes you truly human.
🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 115
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! Amen.
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Read devotionalFrequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 115 about?
Psalm 115 deflects all glory from human achievement to God alone — 'Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.' It mocks idols that have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and warns that those who make them become like them. But Israel trusts in the Lord — He is their help and shield. He blesses those who fear Him, small and great.
What does Psalm 115 teach us?
You become like what you worship. If you worship dead idols, you become spiritually dead. If you worship the living God, you come alive. This psalm asks: where does your glory go?
What are the key themes of Psalm 115?
The key themes of Psalm 115 include: God's Glory, Anti-Idolatry, Trust, Blessing.
When should I read Psalm 115?
Psalm 115 is especially meaningful for: Worship, combating idolatry, humility. The overall mood is humble, bold.
How can I apply Psalm 115 to my life?
You become like what you worship. If you worship money, you become calculating. If you worship approval, you become anxious. If you worship power, you become controlling. Audit your functional gods and consider what they're turning you into. Only worshiping the true God makes you truly human.
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