Psalm 115:1-11 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 115:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
Verse 2Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
Verse 3Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
Verse 4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
Verse 5They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
Verse 6They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
Verse 7They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throats.
Verse 8Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.
Verse 9O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
Verse 10O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
Verse 11You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
Devotion
To the question “Where is your God?” the psalmist proclaims the God of Israel to be in complete contrast to humanly fashioned idols and gods. False gods have none of the God-created senses; their mouths, eyes, ears and noses are “senseless” like their human creators. Over and against these humanly fashioned gods, the psalmist praises the God of steadfast love and faithfulness; this God is trustworthy and calls for our trust and faithfulness.
Prayer
O God, who created sight and sound, taste and touch, illumine our eyes, open our ears, loose our tongues, free our hands, that we may more fully see your glory, hear your voice, praise your name and serve our neighbor and you. Amen.