Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. Their idolsThe term "idols" in this context refers to the physical representations of deities worshiped by the surrounding nations during the time the Psalms were written. The Hebrew word used here is "עֲצַבֵּיהֶם" (atzabbehem), which can also mean "images" or "statues." Historically, these idols were often crafted from materials like wood, stone, or metal and were central to the religious practices of pagan cultures. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the futility of worshiping anything other than the one true God, as these idols are mere creations of human hands and hold no divine power. are silver and gold
This phrase emphasizes the materials used to construct these idols, which were considered valuable and precious. The Hebrew words "כֶּסֶף" (kesef) for silver and "זָהָב" (zahav) for gold indicate wealth and status. However, despite their material worth, these idols are lifeless and powerless. The use of such materials might have been intended to convey a sense of grandeur and worthiness, yet the psalmist points out the irony that these valuable substances are used to create objects that are ultimately worthless in spiritual terms. made by the hands of men
This phrase underscores the human origin of these idols, contrasting them with the divine creation of the universe by God. The Hebrew word "מַעֲשֵׂה" (ma'aseh) means "work" or "deed," indicating that these idols are the result of human effort and craftsmanship. From a theological standpoint, this serves as a reminder of the limitations of human creativity when it comes to matters of divinity. The psalmist is making a clear distinction between the Creator and the created, urging believers to place their faith in God rather than in man-made objects. Persons / Places / Events 1. PsalmistThe author of Psalm 115, traditionally attributed to David, who contrasts the living God with lifeless idols. 2. IdolsObjects of worship made from silver and gold, representing false gods that the nations around Israel worshipped. 3. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, called to worship Him alone and reject idolatry. 4. NationsThe surrounding peoples who worshipped idols, often leading Israel into temptation and sin. 5. TempleThe place where the true God was worshipped, contrasting with the temples of idols. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdols, though made of precious materials, are lifeless and powerless. They cannot see, hear, or act. This highlights the futility of placing trust in anything other than God. The Unchanging Nature of GodUnlike idols, which are crafted by human hands, God is eternal and uncreated. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, deserving of our worship and trust. Guarding Against Modern IdolatryWhile we may not worship physical idols, anything that takes the place of God in our lives can become an idol. This includes money, power, relationships, or even technology. The Call to Exclusive WorshipAs believers, we are called to worship God alone, recognizing His sovereignty and rejecting all forms of idolatry. Witnessing to a World of IdolsIn a world filled with various "idols," Christians are called to be a light, pointing others to the true and living God. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might worship, and how can we guard against them in our own lives? 2. How does understanding the futility of idols help strengthen our faith in the living God? 3. In what ways can we ensure that God remains the central focus of our worship and daily life? 4. How can the contrast between idols and the living God be used in evangelism to those who do not yet know Him? 5. Reflect on a time when you may have placed something above God in your life. How did you realign your priorities to honor Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-4The commandment against idolatry, emphasizing the worship of God alone. Isaiah 44:9-20A detailed critique of idol-making, highlighting the futility of worshipping man-made objects. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6Paul’s teaching on the reality of one God and the non-existence of idols as true deities. Habakkuk 2:18-19A prophetic denunciation of idols, questioning the wisdom of trusting in lifeless objects. Acts 17:29Paul’s sermon in Athens, where he contrasts the living God with idols made by human design. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Gold, Hands, Idols, Images, Man's, Men's, SilverDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:4 4333 gold
4363 silver 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 115:4-6 5183 smell Psalm 115:4-7 5136 body Psalm 115:4-8 5973 unreliability
8748 false religion 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 115:4 NIVPsalm 115:4 NLTPsalm 115:4 ESVPsalm 115:4 NASBPsalm 115:4 KJV
Psalm 115:4 Commentaries
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