1<\/sup> Not to us, O LORD, not to us 2<\/sup> Why do the nations say, 3<\/sup> Our God is in heaven; 4<\/sup> But their idols are silver and gold, 5<\/sup> They have mouths, but cannot speak, 6<\/sup> they have ears, but cannot hear, 7<\/sup> they have hands, but cannot feel, 8<\/sup> Those who make them will be like them, 9<\/sup> O house of Israel, trust in the LORD\u2014 10<\/sup> O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD\u2014 11<\/sup> You who fear him, trust in the LORD\u2014 12<\/sup> The LORD remembers us and will bless us: 13<\/sup> he will bless those who fear the LORD\u2014 14<\/sup> May the LORD make you increase, 15<\/sup> May you be blessed by the LORD, 16<\/sup> The highest heavens belong to the LORD, 17<\/sup> It is not the dead who praise the LORD, 18<\/sup> it is we who extol the LORD, <\/p>\n It is a huge jump to Psalm 115 from Psalm 3, but it has been some weeks since I posted these studies. I have actually only had one inquiry about when I would resume them, so perhaps there is not really a need to go on. However, this one resonates with me today, and I’d like to share for that reason alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are interested in continuing to read these studies, let me encourage you to let me know in the comments. I am happy to share, but don’t want to put this out there if there isn’t a lot of interest.<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the 10 question system I introduced here<\/a> , I’m going to answer those same questions and follow up with a paraphrase of the Psalm under the heading of ” What does this mean for\/to me.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n 1) Who wrote it?——-Unknown<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 2) Circumstances ?——-After Israel’s return from captivity ( read books of Ezra and Nehemiah for background material.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 3) Questions?——-” Where (WHO) is their God?” Asked by heathen nations ( Babylon, Assyria, etc.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 4) Answered? by whom?—–In primer fashion- spelled out clearly<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ( as also done in I Kings 18;27, Isaiah 44:9-20, Jeremiah 10:1-16) Comparing our All-powerful, Reigning and LIVING God to the idols<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The voice answering is of the believers returned to Israel.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 5) Can I pray this Psalm?—–Absolutely!!” The dead cannot sing praises… but we can praise the Lord both now and forever!” v.17 and 18<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 6) Names for God?-Lord, God, Helper and Shield<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 7) Relationship?—Enlightened ( having learned the hard lesson in captivity) No more false worship!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 8) NT references?— none precisely, but many to the Living God here represented- I Thess. 1:9, Romans 9;26,II Cor. 6:16 and 3:3, I Tim. 3:15 and Heb. 12:12.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 9) Voices?—Worshippers, Children of the Living God, the heathen nations –Important to note the voices NOT HEARD!- those of the idols and the voices of the dead (physical and spiritual)!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 10) What does it mean to me?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Under this question I offer my personal paraphrase-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Our God reigns!<\/em><\/p>\n He is the Living God, the Father that gives life to His children<\/em><\/p>\n and calls all of His people to a life that brings glory<\/em><\/p>\n back to <\/em><\/p>\n Himself.<\/em><\/p>\n Sing unto the Lord a new song-<\/em><\/p>\n for we have been blessed by the lessons<\/em><\/p>\n He has taught us.<\/em><\/p>\n He is our God,<\/em><\/p>\n and in His unfailing love and faithfulness,<\/em><\/p>\n He has blessed us with the <\/em><\/p>\n opportunity to grow<\/em><\/p>\n out of our sinful mindset.<\/em><\/p>\n We have seen the idols of the world<\/em><\/p>\n -we acknowledge that they are dead-<\/em><\/p>\n they are false-<\/em><\/p>\n a sham of life- <\/em><\/p>\n and those that follow them are also dead.<\/em><\/p>\n Without life they belong to the silence of the grave.<\/em><\/p>\n But the Living God is our Helper<\/em><\/p>\n and Shield<\/em><\/p>\n in the roughest battles of this life.<\/em><\/p>\n He blesses us richly so that we can praise the Lord throughout <\/em><\/p>\n Eternity.<\/em><\/p>\n Praise the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n All God’s people say, “Praise the Lord!”<\/p>\n Why? Because it pleases our God to bestow His faithful love upon us,<\/p>\n His children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Psalm 115 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God … Continue reading
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. <\/p>\n
“Where is their God?” <\/p>\n
he does whatever pleases him. <\/p>\n
made by the hands of men. <\/p>\n
eyes, but they cannot see; <\/p>\n
noses, but they cannot smell; <\/p>\n
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats. <\/p>\n
and so will all who trust in them. <\/p>\n
he is their help and shield. <\/p>\n
he is their help and shield. <\/p>\n
he is their help and shield. <\/p>\n
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron, <\/p>\n
small and great alike. <\/p>\n
both you and your children. <\/p>\n
the Maker of heaven and earth. <\/p>\n
but the earth he has given to man. <\/p>\n
those who go down to silence; <\/p>\n
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD. <\/p>\n