Years ago there was a “God is dead” movement in theology. Of course, He is very much alive, as Psalm 115 tells us: “But our God is in heaven. He does whatever He pleases” (v.3). The problem with people is not that “God is dead” but that their “faith is dead.” They do not have living faith in the living God.

The Psalmist is addresses three groups of people in this passage.

First, he speaks to the nation (v.9). Then he talks to the priests (v.1). Then he talks to all believers (v.11).

If we are going to have the kind of relationship with God that we ought to have, if He is going to be to us the living God with living power and blessing, first of all we must trust Him. He is our Help. He is our Shield. He is our Provision. He is our Protection and our Security. He also is our Sufficiency. Second, we must fear Him (v.13). The blessing that He gives is the best blessing. To fear God means to show reverence to Him, to respect Him when He speaks and acts, to have a heart that does not tempt or test Him. Finally, we must bless Him (v.18). We are always asking God to bless us, but psalmist says, “We bless God.”

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When you fear the Lord, trust Him and experience the blessings He has for you, you cannot help but bless Him. If your relationship with Him is what it ought to be, then you will be praising Him “from this time forth and forevermore.”