◄ Psalm 115:18 ►
But it is we who will bless the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah!
Study Bible
But it is we
This phrase emphasizes the identity and responsibility of the people of God. In the Hebrew text, the word "we" (אֲנַ֣חְנוּ, 'anakhnu) is used to distinguish the living, faithful community from the idols and the dead mentioned earlier in the psalm. It underscores the privilege and duty of the living to praise God, highlighting a communal identity that is rooted in covenantal relationship with Yahweh. Historically, this reflects the Israelite understanding of being a chosen people, set apart to declare God's glory.

who will bless
The Hebrew root for "bless" (בָּרַךְ, barak) conveys a sense of adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. To bless the LORD is to acknowledge His sovereignty, goodness, and mercy. This act of blessing is not just a verbal expression but a lifestyle of worship and obedience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blessing was a reciprocal act; as God blesses His people, they in turn bless Him through their worship and faithful living.

the LORD
The term "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). It signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenantal faithfulness. In the context of the psalm, invoking the name of Yahweh is a declaration of trust in His unchanging character and His promises to His people. This name is central to Israel's identity and worship, distinguishing their God from the idols of surrounding nations.

both now
The phrase "both now" (עַתָּ֣ה, 'attah) indicates the immediacy and present reality of worship. It calls the faithful to engage in the act of blessing God in the current moment, recognizing His active presence and work in their lives. This reflects a theology of God's immanence, where He is not distant but intimately involved in the affairs of His people.

and forevermore
The Hebrew word for "forevermore" (עַד־עוֹלָ֗ם, 'ad-olam) extends the act of blessing into eternity. It speaks to the eternal nature of God and the everlasting relationship between Him and His people. This phrase assures believers of the continuity of worship beyond temporal circumstances, pointing to an eschatological hope where God's kingdom is fully realized, and His praise is unending.

Hallelujah!
This exclamation, derived from the Hebrew (הַלְלוּיָהּ, hallelu-yah), means "Praise the LORD." It is both a command and a declaration, inviting all creation to join in the worship of Yahweh. "Hallelujah" serves as a fitting conclusion to the psalm, encapsulating the joy and reverence due to God. It is a universal call to worship that transcends time and space, uniting believers in a shared expression of faith and devotion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
The author of Psalm 115, traditionally attributed to David or another Israelite leader, who expresses a communal commitment to worship and bless the LORD.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal nature and faithfulness to His people.

3. Israel
The community of God's chosen people, who are called to bless and praise the LORD.

4. The Assembly of Believers
The collective group of worshippers, both in ancient Israel and in the contemporary church, who are encouraged to praise God continually.

5. The Eternal Timeline
The concept of worship extending "now and forevermore," indicating the timeless nature of God's praise.
Teaching Points
The Call to Continuous Worship
As believers, we are called to bless the LORD at all times, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness in every season of life.

The Communal Aspect of Praise
Worship is not just an individual act but a collective expression of faith, uniting believers across time and space.

Eternal Perspective
Our praise is not limited to our earthly existence but extends into eternity, reminding us of the everlasting nature of our relationship with God.

The Power of Hallelujah
The term "Hallelujah" is a powerful declaration of praise, derived from the Hebrew "halal" (to praise) and "Yah" (a shortened form of Yahweh), encapsulating the essence of worship.

Living a Life of Praise
Our daily actions and attitudes should reflect a heart of gratitude and worship, influencing how we interact with others and face life's challenges.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the call to bless the LORD "both now and forevermore" challenge your current understanding of worship?

2. In what ways can you incorporate continual praise into your daily routine, as encouraged by Psalm 115:18 and related scriptures?

3. How does the communal aspect of worship in Psalm 115:18 influence your participation in corporate worship settings?

4. Reflect on a time when praising God in difficult circumstances brought you peace or clarity. How does this experience relate to the teachings of Psalm 115:18?

5. How can the concept of eternal praise shape your perspective on life's temporary challenges and joys?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 34:1
This verse emphasizes the continual praise of the LORD, similar to the call in Psalm 115:18 for ongoing worship.

Hebrews 13:15
Encourages believers to offer a sacrifice of praise to God continually, aligning with the eternal aspect of worship in Psalm 115:18.

Revelation 5:13
Describes a vision of all creation praising God, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of the call to bless the LORD forevermore.

Deuteronomy 6:5
Commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, which is foundational to the act of blessing and praising Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Encourages believers to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances, echoing the spirit of continual praise found in Psalm 115:18.
Sermons
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
Living PraisePsalm 115:17-18
United and Continuous PraisePulpit TreasuryPsalm 115:17-18
People
Aaron, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Bless, Evermore, Forever, Forevermore, Forth, Hallelujah, Henceforth, Jah, Praise, Yah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 115:17-18

     5816   consciousness

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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