Psalms 115:15

Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. YE ARE BLESSED OF THE LORD WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH - alluding to Melchizedek's blessing upon Abraham, the first father of Israel, the heir of Abraham's blessing, "Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth" (). As being the 'Maker of heaven and earth,' He is infinitely rich in power to make His people "blessed," however many be their troubles, and however strong their enemies. On the contrary, "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens" ()....

15._Ye are blessed of Jehovah _In the preceding verse the prophet had given them the hope of uninterrupted happiness, arising from God’s infinite resources never failing, however liberally and largely he bestows, and from his never ceasing to enrich those whom he hath admitted as sharers of his bounty. In confirmation of this doctrine, he declares that the children of Abraham were separated from other nations; so that, relying upon this privilege, they might unhesitatingly and unreservedly surrender themselves to a father so benignant and bountiful. And as the flesh, in consequence of its stupidity, cannot perceive the power of God, the understanding of which preserves us in a state of peace and security under his protection, the prophet, in designating him the maker of heaven and earth, reminds us that there is no ground to fear that he is unable to defend us; for, having created the he...

9-18 It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that trust in him. Wherever there is right fear of God, there may be cheerful faith in him; those who reverence his word, may rely upon it. He is ever found faithful. The greatest need his blessing, and it shall not be denied to the meanest that fear him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual blessings. And the Lord is to be praised: his goodness is large, for he has given the earth to the children of men for their use. The souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burdens of the flesh, are still praising him; but the dead body cannot praise God: death puts an end to our glorifying him in this world of trial and conflict. Others are dead, and an end is thereby put to their service, therefore we will seek to do the more for God....

YE ARE BLESSED OF THE LORD - Blessed in your present comforts and mercies; blessed in his promises in regard to the time to come; blessed in the prospects which are before you. WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH - The true God; the great Creator of all things. It was not the blessing of a creature - man or angel - it was the blessing of the living God....

EXPOSITION A LITURGICAL psalm, in which a divided choir, together with a leader—a priest or precentor—take separate parts. The occasion is one of danger (Psalms 115:2), but, at the same time, of confident hope and trust (Psalms 115:3, Psalms 115:9). A portion of the choir begin with an appeal to God for help against the heathen, whose vain worship of idols they cover with scorn (Psalms 115:1). The leader then exhorts to trust in God in the first clause of three consecutive verses (Psalms 115:9,...

YOU ARE BLESSED OF THE LORD,.... The Arabic version reads it, "we are blessed"; with temporal and with spiritual blessings; being the beloved of the Lord, chosen of him; whose sins are pardoned, whose persons are justified by the righteousness of Christ; who are put among the children of God, and are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; regenerated by his Spirit, favoured with communion with God, and wrought up to some degree of conformity to Christ, and shall ever be with him. WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH; and so able to bless with all kind of blessings, both heavenly and earthly; and from whom all help and assistance may be hoped for, and who may be trusted and confided in: and this, it may be, is observed to distinguish him from the idols of the Gentiles, who made not the heavens and the earth; and who are not able to bless, nor give the least relief to any of their votaries....

Psalms 115:1. _Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased._ It was very natural that the heathen should say, «Where is their God?» because they had no outward emblem, no visible image, no tangible token; whereas the heathen had their gods many, such as they were, made of wood and stone; so that they asked, «Where is their God?» I think that when that question is suggested, it is a good sign, for it proves the purity of the faith which has cleansed itself from outward symbolism. May men often have to ask of us, «Where is their God?» But I fear that the people of Israel were brought into so low a state, at times, that this question was also asked in scorn and derision, «Where is

Psalms 115 Who Their God is? _ 1. Israel's God (Psalms 115:1)_ 2. In Contrast with Idols (Psalms 115:4) 3. O Israel Trust in the Lord (Psalms 115:9) 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 l

CXV. THE BLINDNESS OF IDOLATRY AND THE VIRTUE OF UTTER TRUST IN YAHWEH. Psalms 115:2 f. An invisible god was unintelligible to the average heathen; he believed that the god was specially present in the idol, his energy being focussed there. On the other hand, the heathen did not, as the Psalmist assumes, identify idol and god. Psalms 115:17, like Psalms 80:5, expressed the common Jewish belief that all connexion between God and man ends with the life that now is. After death God remembers us no more....

PSALMS 115 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE Not for Her Own Glory but for His, Israel moves herself to trust in Jehovah to Shew his Superiority over Idols. ANALYSIS Stanza I., Psalms 115:1-3, Introductory appeal to Jehovah. Stanza II., Psalms 115:4-8, Idols Disparaged. Stanza III., Psalms 115:9-11, With Alternate Voices, the Choir encourages Israel to Trust. Stanza IV., Psalms 115:12-13, The Congregation Proclaims its Confidence. Stanza V.,...