Psalms
Chapter 115
This psalm asks God to receive the glory instead of Israel, and answers the taunt "Where is their God?" It contrasts the living God in heaven with idols of silver and gold that cannot speak, see, hear, or move. Then it calls Israel, the priests, and all who honor the LORD to trust him, and promises his blessing. It closes with the living praising God now and always.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
1LORD, do not give the glory to us. Do not give it to us. Give the glory to your own name, because you love us and because you keep your word.
2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
2Why should the other nations get to ask, "So where is their God now?"
3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
3But our God is in heaven. He has done everything he wanted to do.
4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
4Their idols are just silver and gold, made by human hands.
5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
5They have mouths, but they cannot talk. They have eyes, but they cannot see.
6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
6They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell.
7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
7They have hands, but they cannot feel. They have feet, but they cannot walk. They cannot make a sound in their throats.
8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
8The people who make these idols end up like them. So does everyone who trusts them.
9O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
9Israel, trust the LORD. He is their help and their shield.
A shield is the piece of armor a soldier holds up to block blows. Saying God is a shield means he protects his people.
10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10Family of Aaron, trust the LORD. He is their help and their shield.
The "house of Aaron" means the family line of Aaron, Moses' brother. They were the priests who served at the temple.
11Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11All of you who honor the LORD, trust the LORD. He is their help and their shield.
To "fear the LORD" here does not mean being afraid of him. It means treating him with deep respect and doing what he says.
12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
12The LORD has kept us in mind, and he will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel. He will bless the family of Aaron.
13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
13He will bless everyone who honors him, the important people and the unimportant ones alike.
14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
14May the LORD give you more and more, both you and your children.
15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
15May the LORD bless you, the one who made heaven and earth.
16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
16The heavens belong to the LORD, even the highest ones. But he has given the earth to people.
17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
17The dead do not praise the LORD. Neither does anyone who goes down into silence.
18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
18But we will praise the LORD, from right now and forever. Praise the LORD!
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