Psalm 115:1
ESV
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
NIV
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
NASB
Not to us, Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
CSB
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.
NLT
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
KJV
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
NKJV
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.
What does Psalm 115:1 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 115; verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 115:1–3 contrasts Israel's attitude towards God with that of pagan nations. God's chosen people give Him all praise and honor. They don't take credit for what He has done (Psalm 68:34; Exodus 15:2). Idol-worshippers, on the other hand, are confused at the idea of an invisible God. To them an unseen deity might as well not exist. But the One True God isn't limited by the shape of a carved image.
Psalm 115 turns all praise and credit away from the people of Israel and gives it entirely to God. Pagan nations worshipped statues and objects. They might have ridiculed Israel's worship of an invisible deity. Yet their own idols were unthinking, unmoving, silent fakes. They were shaped like men but couldn't even do the things ordinary men could do. Israel should maintain trust in the Lord, who chose them as His people and made a covenant with them. The psalmist anticipates a long, productive life of worship because of God's protection.
