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Psalms 115
Psalms 115:1
General Information:
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-poetry and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Not to us, Yahweh, not to us
The writer repeats the phrase "Not to us" in order to emphasize that they are not worthy to receive the honor that is due only to Yahweh. If necessary, a verbal phrase may be supplied here. Alternate translation: "Do not bring honor to us, Yahweh" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
to us
The word "us" refers to the people of Israel.
but to your name bring honor
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh, himself. Alternate translation: "but bring honor to yourself" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
for your covenant faithfulness and for your trustworthiness
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant and you are worthy of people trusting you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Psalms 115:2
Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
This rhetorical question emphasizes that there should be no reason for the nations to say what they say. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "The people of the nations should not be able to say, 'Where is their God?'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Where is their God?
The people of other nations use this question to mock the people of Israel and to express that they do not see Yahweh helping them. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Your God is not here to help you." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Psalms 115:3
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Psalms 115:4
the work of men's hands
Here the word "hands" represents the people who made the idols. Alternate translation: "things which men have made" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Psalms 115:5
Those idols have mouths
The idols do not have real mouths, eyes, ears, or noses. Rather, people made them with the likeness of mouths, eyes, ears, and noses. The writer is emphasizing that these idols are not really alive. You can make clear the implied information. Alternate translation: "People have given mouths to those idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Psalms 115:6
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Psalms 115:7
Those idols have hands
The idols do not have real hands, feet, or mouths. Rather, people made them with the likeness of hands, feet, and mouths. The writer is emphasizing that these idols are not really alive. You can make this implicit information clear. Alternate translation: "People have given hands to those idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
but do not feel
"but those hands do not feel"
Psalms 115:8
Those who make them are like them, as is everyone who trusts in them
Those who make and worship idols become lifeless and powerless, just like those idols. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "Those who make them become lifeless like they are, as does everyone who trusts in them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Psalms 115:9
Israel, trust in Yahweh
The word "Israel" represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "People of Israel, trust in Yahweh" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
your help and shield
The writer speaks of Yahweh as if he were a shield because he protects his people as a shield would protect them from harm. Alternate translation: "the one who helps you and protects you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 115:10
House of Aaron
Here the word "House" represents the family or descendants. This phrase refers to the priests, who were descendants of Aaron. Alternate translation: "Descendants of Aaron" or "Priests" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Psalms 115:11
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Psalms 115:12
takes notice of us
"has paid attention to us"
the family of Israel
This refers to the people of Israel, who are descendants of Jacob, who also called Israel. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the family of Aaron
This refers to the priests, who are descendants of Aaron. Alternate translation: "the descendants of Aaron" or "the priests" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Psalms 115:13
both young and old
"both small and great." Possible meanings are that this refers 1) to social status or 2) to age. In either case, the two extremes represent every person, regardless of age or social status. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
Psalms 115:14
May Yahweh increase your numbers more and more
The writer is speaking of the number of children that the people of Israel would have. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh increase the number of your children more and more" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
yours and your descendants'
"both your children and your descendants' children." The writer clarifies that his request for more children applies not only to the present generation, but to their descendants, as well.
Psalms 115:15
May you be blessed by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh, who made heaven and earth, bless you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Psalms 115:16
the earth he has given to mankind
This does not mean that the earth does not belong to Yahweh, but that has given the earth to mankind as a dwelling place.
Psalms 115:17
The dead
The adjective "dead" may be translated with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "People who are dead" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
nor do any who go down into silence
This parallel phrase has a similar meaning to phrase before it. The verb may be supplied from that previous phrase to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: "nor do any who go down into silence praise Yahweh" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
nor do any who go down into silence
The writer speaks of the grave or the place of the dead as a place of silence where no one can speak. This is a euphemism for death. Alternate translation: "nor do any who go to the place of the dead" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
Psalms 115:18
But we
The word "we" refers to the people of Israel who are still alive.