We turn to Psalm 115 today to discuss one of the psalms traditionally sung by the Jewish people at the close of the Passover meal. It’s part of a collection of psalms (Psalms 113-118) known as “The Hallel,” meaning “praise,” and as we’ll see, it is certainly a song intended to encourage its singers and hearers to praise Yahweh, the one true God.

Let’s read Psalm 115, entitled, “To Your Name Give Glory, together.”

“1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2  Why should the nations say,

 ‘Where is their God?’

3  Our God is in the heavens;

he does all that he pleases.

4  Their idols are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

5  They have mouths, but do not speak;

eyes, but do not see.

6  They have ears, but do not hear;

noses, but do not smell.

7  They have hands, but do not feel;

feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.

8  Those who make them become like them;      

so do all who trust in them.

9  O Israel, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

10  O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

11  You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

12  The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us;

he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;

13  he will bless those who fear the LORD,

both the small and the great.

14  May the LORD give you increase,

you and your children!

15  May you be blessed by the LORD,

who made heaven and earth!

16  The heavens are the LORD’s heavens,

but the earth he has given to the children of man.

17  The dead do not praise the LORD,

nor do any who go down into silence.

18  But we will bless the LORD

from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the LORD!”

The call for the people of God to praise God is clear, isn’t it?             

There are two themes we can pull from this chapter,

1. The Impotence of Idols

2. Yahweh is worth of our trust

Have you done an honest assessment recently of to what or to whom your life is oriented? Dear under-shepherd, I encourage you to do this today, in prayer, with our Good Shepherd. He will show you, and He will graciously re-orient you.

For the second theme, is it easy or difficult for you to trust in God? Does it depend on the circumstance? Has your ability to trust God as your Shepherd been hindered by improper or misguided shepherding in your past?

I pray we all ponder and meditate on these truths from Psalm 115 this week.