We Reflect His Glory in Psalm 115

Never confuse your place in the grand story. Glory belongs to God alone.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” Psalm 115:1

The name of God is to receive all glory for the sake of his wonderful enduring love and faithful nature. We are reminded repeatedly of the central theme of the steadfast love and faithfulness of our Lord. He is good to us and worthy of our praise. We ascribe glory to him because glory is not ours. All glory goes to God. We lift our voices to give glory to God as recipients of his love and faithfulness.

“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Psalm 115:2-3

Nations should never have to wonder about God. God’s people are commanded and commissioned to tell of the mighty acts of God. Nations are misguided like all of us if left to our own wisdom. They turn to idols made of silver and gold made by their own hands. These idols are muted. These idols are blind. These idols are deaf. These idols cannot smell. These idols cannot touch. These idols cannot walk. These idols cannot even make a sound.

Every one of us is misguided, confused, and lost without his paths made straight for us.

“Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” Psalm 115:8

If you make an idol or trust an idol, you will become like the idol. You will not speak, see, hear, smell, touch, walk, or make a sound in your throat. You will be deluded. Isaiah 42:8 is clear: “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” Instead, Israel’s trust it to be in the Lord and his protection. He is their shield.

Do not make or trust idols. Trust and fear him who has remembered and blessed us.

“The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us…he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.” Psalm 115:12-13

Again, glory belongs to the Lord and not to us. As such, he blesses those who fear him in reverent awe. All of creation—small and great—are to bow before him. He can be trusted to remember us and bless us.

He is a good God.

“May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 115:14-15

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” It is the Lord who makes our paths straight and gives increase to us and our children. Ignore idols. The Lord made heaven and earth. He can be trusted—his steadfast love and faithfulness are our constant companions even in loss.

“The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” Psalm 115:16

Ecclesiastes 5:2 reminds us that “…God is in heaven and you are on earth…” Solomon instructs us to be respectful with our words before God. Psalm 115 reminds us glory belongs to the one in heaven. He has given earth to us, and we are to reflect his glory. We only have this life in which to praise him before the nations. The dead cannot praise him upon the earth.

Therefore, while it is still day, we must bless and praise the Lord’s name. We are inspired to give him glory to the ends of the earth.