"You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike."

Psalm 115:11-13

Psalm 115 praises God in the normal ways by celebrating God’s love and faithfulness (v. 1), his help and protection (vv. 9–11), and his blessing (vv. 12–15). However, in verses 2–8, the psalmist extols Israel’s God by comparing him with the idols of other nations. In a lovely self-contained satire, he mocks the idea of worshipping an inanimate object which has all the body parts of a living deity but is unable to use them. This mocking is not just limited to the idols themselves but applies to all those who trust in them too. We have a different, dynamic deity who is not just alive but is the author of life itself. This is why verses 9–11 exhort us three times to trust in God who brings life to us.

The final verses of the psalm (vv. 16–18) remind us that we are responsible for worship. The psalm challenges us to worship God because he is living and worthy of praise and not just a piece of metal. We should worship him, in private and in public, in words and actions, individually and corporately.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord God, you deserve far above anything I can offer you each day. Help me to make my life a continual expression of praise—in all that I say and do.

(edited from Encounter with God)