Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness. Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulnessNot to us, O LORD, not to usThis phrase begins with a profound declaration of humility and self-denial. The repetition of "not to us" emphasizes the psalmist's earnest desire to deflect any glory or honor from themselves to God. In Hebrew, the word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, which signifies His eternal and self-existent nature. This invocation of God's name sets the tone for the entire verse, reminding the reader of God's sovereignty and the proper posture of worship—one that is centered on God rather than human achievement. but to Your name be the glory
The phrase "Your name" in Hebrew is "Shem," which encompasses God's character, reputation, and essence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name was more than a label; it represented the very nature and authority of a person. Thus, the psalmist is not merely speaking of God's title but His entire being and divine attributes. "Glory" in Hebrew is "Kavod," which conveys a sense of weightiness and honor. The psalmist acknowledges that all glory and honor rightfully belong to God, reflecting a deep understanding of God's majesty and the human role as His creation. because of Your loving devotion
The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "Chesed," a term rich with meaning that encompasses love, mercy, kindness, and covenant faithfulness. It is a central theme in the Old Testament, often used to describe God's steadfast love and loyalty to His people. This phrase highlights the motivation for giving glory to God—His unwavering commitment and love towards humanity. It serves as a reminder of the relational aspect of God's nature, inviting believers to respond with gratitude and worship. because of Your faithfulness
The word "faithfulness" in Hebrew is "Emet," which signifies truth, reliability, and steadfastness. This attribute of God assures believers of His unchanging nature and the certainty of His promises. In a world where human faithfulness can falter, God's faithfulness remains a constant and secure foundation. The psalmist concludes this verse by affirming that God's consistent and trustworthy character is a reason for His name to be glorified. This assurance of God's faithfulness provides comfort and encouragement to believers, inspiring them to live lives that reflect His glory. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. 2. IsraelWhile not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the Psalm is a communal prayer likely from the perspective of the nation of Israel, seeking to glorify God. 3. The PsalmistThe author of the Psalm, traditionally attributed to the community of Israel or a leader within it, expressing a collective desire to honor God. Teaching Points God's Glory is ParamountThe focus of our lives should be to glorify God, not ourselves. This requires humility and a recognition of God's supreme worth. Motivated by God's CharacterOur desire to glorify God should stem from His loving devotion (Hebrew: "chesed") and faithfulness (Hebrew: "emet"), which are central to His nature. Communal WorshipThis verse encourages collective worship and acknowledgment of God's glory, reminding us of the importance of community in our faith journey. Dependence on GodRecognizing that any success or blessing is due to God's faithfulness, not our own merit, fosters a spirit of gratitude and dependence on Him. Witness to the WorldBy attributing glory to God, we serve as witnesses to His character and work, drawing others to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the call to glorify God's name in Psalm 115:1 challenge our personal ambitions and desires for recognition? 2. In what ways can we practically demonstrate God's loving devotion and faithfulness in our daily lives? 3. How does the communal aspect of this Psalm influence our understanding of worship and fellowship within the church? 4. What are some specific areas in your life where you can shift the focus from self-glorification to glorifying God? 5. How do the themes of God's glory and faithfulness in Psalm 115:1 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34:6-7This passage describes God's character as merciful and faithful, which aligns with the reasons given in Psalm 115:1 for glorifying God's name. Isaiah 42:8God declares that He will not share His glory with another, reinforcing the theme of God's exclusive right to glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31Paul instructs believers to do everything for the glory of God, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 115:1. Revelation 4:11The heavenly worship scene where God is praised for His glory, power, and creation, connecting to the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Faith, Faithfulness, Glory, Honour, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, O, Sake, Steadfast, Truth, Truth's, UnchangingDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:1 8335 reverence, and blessing
8440 glorifying God
8605 prayer, and God's will 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 115:1 NIVPsalm 115:1 NLTPsalm 115:1 ESVPsalm 115:1 NASBPsalm 115:1 KJV
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