◄ Psalm 115:12 ►
The LORD is mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron;
Study Bible
The LORD
The term "LORD" in this verse is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Psalm 115, the use of "LORD" underscores the personal relationship between God and His people, Israel. It is a reminder of His sovereignty and His role as the ultimate authority and protector of His chosen ones.

has remembered us
The phrase "has remembered us" is significant in the Hebrew context, where "remember" (זָכַר, zakar) implies more than just recalling to mind. It denotes an active engagement and intervention on behalf of those remembered. In the historical context of Israel, this remembrance is often associated with God's covenantal faithfulness, where He acts to fulfill His promises. This assurance of divine remembrance is a source of comfort and hope, affirming that God is attentive to the needs and circumstances of His people.

He will bless us
The promise "He will bless us" reflects the Hebrew concept of blessing (בָּרַךְ, barak), which encompasses prosperity, protection, and favor. In the scriptural context, blessings are often tied to obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments. This assurance of blessing is a testament to God's generous nature and His desire to bestow good things upon His people. It is a call to trust in His provision and to live in a manner that aligns with His will.

He will bless the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, the twelve tribes that constitute the nation of Israel. This phrase highlights the collective identity and unity of God's chosen people. Historically, the house of Israel has been the recipient of God's promises and covenants, and this blessing reaffirms their special status and role in God's redemptive plan. It is a reminder of the enduring relationship between God and Israel, despite their struggles and failures.

He will bless the house of Aaron
The "house of Aaron" specifically refers to the priestly lineage within Israel, the descendants of Aaron, Moses' brother. This group held a unique position as mediators between God and the people, responsible for the temple worship and sacrifices. The blessing upon the house of Aaron signifies God's favor upon those who serve Him in a dedicated capacity, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leadership and faithfulness in worship. It is an encouragement for those in ministry to remain steadfast in their calling.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is faithful and remembers His people.

2. House of Israel
Refers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, whom He has promised to bless.

3. House of Aaron
The priestly family within Israel, descendants of Aaron, who served in the temple and were set apart for God's service.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God remembers His promises and is faithful to bless His people. This assurance should encourage believers to trust in God's unchanging nature.

Covenant Relationship
The blessings mentioned are rooted in a covenant relationship. Believers today are part of a new covenant through Jesus Christ, which brings spiritual blessings.

Role of the Priesthood
The house of Aaron signifies the importance of spiritual leadership and intercession. In Christ, all believers are called to a royal priesthood, serving God and others.

Blessings for All
While the verse specifically mentions Israel and Aaron, God's blessings extend to all who are in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, as part of the spiritual Israel.

Remembrance and Response
As God remembers and blesses, believers are called to remember His works and respond with gratitude and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's covenant with Israel enhance our appreciation of His faithfulness in Psalm 115:12?

2. In what ways can we see the role of the priesthood in the Old Testament as a foreshadowing of Christ's priesthood?

3. How can believers today live out their calling as a "royal priesthood" in practical ways?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt God remembered and blessed you. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

5. How can we ensure that we are living in a way that reflects gratitude for God's blessings, as seen in Psalm 115:12?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3
God's promise to bless Abraham and make him a great nation, which is foundational to understanding God's blessing on Israel.

Exodus 28:1
The calling of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, establishing the house of Aaron as a special lineage within Israel.

Psalm 103:17-18
Highlights God's everlasting love and righteousness to those who keep His covenant, reinforcing the theme of remembrance and blessing.

Hebrews 7:11-28
Discusses the priesthood of Jesus, connecting the house of Aaron to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who brings a new covenant.
Sermons
Looking Back and Looking On: a New Year's SermonS. Conway Psalm 115:12
Past Mercies Inspire Confidence of Continued GoodA. K. H. Boyd.Psalm 115:12
The Certainty of the Divine BenedictionR. Tuck Psalm 115:12
The Mindfulness of GodBishop Pelham.Psalm 115:12
Genuine Religious ConsciousnessHomilistPsalm 115:1-18
Giving God the GloryT. De Witt Talmage.Psalm 115:1-18
Glory to God for Public BlessingsBishop Smalridge.Psalm 115:1-18
Non Nobis, DominePsalm 115:1-18
The Heathen Taunt, and What Came of itS. Conway Psalm 115:1-18
The Honor Due to GodC. Short Psalm 115:1-18
People
Aaron, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Aaron, Bless, Blesseth, Blessing, Blessings, Kept, Mind, Mindful, Remembered, Remembers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 115:12

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Library
The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Letter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Christian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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