they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. They have hands, but cannot feelThe phrase "hands, but cannot feel" highlights the impotence of idols, which are crafted by human hands yet lack the ability to perform even the most basic functions. The Hebrew word for "hands" is "יָדַיִם" (yadayim), often symbolizing power and action. In the context of this verse, it underscores the irony that these idols, though possessing the form of hands, are devoid of the power to act or sense. This serves as a stark contrast to the living God, whose hands are active in creation and providence. Historically, idols were often made with great care and artistry, yet they remained lifeless, emphasizing the futility of worshiping them. they have feet, but cannot walk
The phrase "feet, but cannot walk" further illustrates the lifelessness of idols. The Hebrew word for "feet" is "רַגְלַיִם" (raglayim), which often signifies movement and progress. In ancient cultures, idols were sometimes paraded through streets or placed in prominent positions, yet they were utterly dependent on human intervention for any movement. This imagery serves to remind believers of the active and dynamic nature of the true God, who is not confined to a single place but is omnipresent and ever-moving in the lives of His people. nor can they utter a sound with their throats
The inability to "utter a sound with their throats" points to the silence and ineffectiveness of idols in communication. The Hebrew word for "throats" is "גְּרוֹנָם" (geronam), which can also refer to the voice or speech. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often invoked through elaborate rituals and incantations, yet these idols could not respond or communicate. This silence is contrasted with the God of Israel, who speaks through His Word and prophets, guiding and instructing His people. The living God is not only a God who hears but also a God who speaks, offering wisdom, comfort, and direction. Persons / Places / Events 1. PsalmistThe author of Psalm 115, traditionally attributed to David or another psalmist, who contrasts the living God with lifeless idols. 2. IdolsThe focus of this verse, representing man-made objects of worship that are powerless and lifeless. 3. IsraelThe nation to whom the psalm is addressed, often tempted by idolatry and called to trust in the living God. 4. Pagan NationsSurrounding cultures that worshipped idols, influencing Israel and providing a backdrop for the psalmist's message. 5. Temple WorshipThe context in which this psalm would have been used, emphasizing the worship of the one true God. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdols are powerless and cannot interact with the world. This highlights the futility of trusting in anything other than God. The Living God vs. Lifeless IdolsUnlike idols, God is active and involved in His creation. Believers are called to trust in His power and presence. Spiritual DiscernmentChristians must discern what modern "idols" they might be tempted to trust in, such as wealth, status, or technology, and turn their focus back to God. Faith in ActionJust as idols cannot act, faith without works is dead. Believers are encouraged to live out their faith actively, reflecting God's living nature. Worship in Spirit and TruthTrue worship is directed towards God, who is spirit and truth, rather than lifeless objects or concepts. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might trust in, and how can we guard against them? 2. How does understanding the impotence of idols enhance our appreciation for the power and presence of God? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our faith is active and not lifeless, like the idols described in Psalm 115:7? 4. How do the teachings in Isaiah 44 and Jeremiah 10 reinforce the message of Psalm 115:7? 5. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to rely on something other than God. How did you redirect your trust back to Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 44This chapter also mocks the futility of idols, emphasizing their inability to act or save, similar to Psalm 115:7. Jeremiah 10Jeremiah speaks against the idols of the nations, highlighting their impotence and contrasting them with the living God. 1 Corinthians 8Paul discusses the reality of idols as nothing, affirming the truth of one God, which aligns with the message of Psalm 115. Habakkuk 2The prophet Habakkuk denounces the worship of idols, pointing out their inability to speak or guide. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Feel, Feeling, Handle, Hands, Power, Speak, Throat, Throats, Utter, Walk, WalkingDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:2-7 1080 God, living Psalm 115:2-8 8780 materialism, and sin Psalm 115:2-11 8023 faith, necessity Psalm 115:3-7 5132 biting Psalm 115:3-8 6708 predestination Psalm 115:4-7 5136 body Psalm 115:4-8 5973 unreliability Psalm 115:5-8 8032 trust, lack of 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. MarkLetter 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 Links Psalm 115:7 NIVPsalm 115:7 NLTPsalm 115:7 ESVPsalm 115:7 NASBPsalm 115:7 KJV
Psalm 115:7 Commentaries
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