Psalm 115:5

ESV They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.

NIV They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

NASB They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see;

CSB They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

NLT They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.

KJV They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

NKJV They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see;

What does Psalm 115:5 mean?

Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 115; verse-level content coming soon!

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Context Summary
Psalm 115:4–8 attacks the foolish idea of worshipping an idol. These artificial objects (Psalm 135:15) are shaped like men but cannot do the things men can do (Habakkuk 2:18). Statues cannot speak, see, hear, or move. Those who worship idols eventually become as powerless and purposeless as the unliving images they create (Isaiah 44:9).

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Chapter Summary
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.

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