There is SO much in Psalm 115 to talk about!
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. 4 The idols of the nations 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 can they make a sound with their throats. 8 They who make idols are like them; so are all who trust in and lean on them. 9 O Israel, trust and take refuge in the Lord! [Lean on, rely on, and be confident in Him!] He is their Help and their Shield. 10 O house of Aaron [the priesthood], trust in and lean on the Lord! He is their Help and their Shield. 11 You who [reverently] fear the Lord, trust in and lean on the Lord! He is their Help and their Shield. 12 The Lord has been mindful of us, He will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron [the priesthood], 13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great. 14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. 15 May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth! 16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
The focus of ALL worship SHOULD be the One, True, God of the Bible! He is the ONLY One worthy of our complete devotion, love, thanksgiving and appreciation! What has mankind done, though, that is contrary to this TRUTH? Just think for a moment of every award show, ceremony, medal, trophy, written article giving accolades, statue, plaque, banner, flag, handprint, tweet, picture, sign, jersey, autograph, etc. that you have personally observed that recognizes the achievements of a human being! Appreciating accomplishments, hard work, commitment and dedication is not wrong, it has simply been taken so far overboard by a mankind who no longer acknowledges the God of the Bible as the SOURCE of every good thing (strength, talent, ability, opportunity, godly connection, favor and anointing) that these have become as much idols as the lifeless statues, figures and objects that the heathen and backslidden people of this Psalm worshipped! It is past time to return adoration to the One, True, God of the Bible, Who alone is worthy, and simply give a nod and applause to the rest! The promise to those who do this is found in verse 13 above:
13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great.
AMEN! Let US say this, from verse 1:
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness!
This song, from Hillsong Worship, does just that! "Love So Great":
Shalom in Him!
