[8] They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Are like them — As void of all sense or reason as their images.
Verse 9
[9] O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Their — Who trust in him.
Verse 10
[10] O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Aaron — You priests and Levites.
Verse 11
[11] Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Ye that fear — All of you who worship the true God, not only Israelites, but even Gentile proselytes.
Verse 12
[12] The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
Mindful — In our former straits, and therefore we trust he will still bless us.
Verse 13
[13] He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
Both small — Of whatsoever quality, high and low, rich and poor.
Verse 16
[16] The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
The Lord's — In a peculiar manner, where he dwelleth in that light and glory, to which no man can approach.
Given — As the foregoing verse declares, that God was the creator of heaven and earth, so this asserts that he is also their Lord and governor to dispose of all men and things as he pleases.
Verse 17
[17] The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
Psalm 115 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 8
[8] They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Are like them — As void of all sense or reason as their images.
Verse 9
[9] O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Their — Who trust in him.
Verse 10
[10] O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Aaron — You priests and Levites.
Verse 11
[11] Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Ye that fear — All of you who worship the true God, not only Israelites, but even Gentile proselytes.
Verse 12
[12] The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
Mindful — In our former straits, and therefore we trust he will still bless us.
Verse 13
[13] He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
Both small — Of whatsoever quality, high and low, rich and poor.
Verse 16
[16] The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
The Lord's — In a peculiar manner, where he dwelleth in that light and glory, to which no man can approach.
Given — As the foregoing verse declares, that God was the creator of heaven and earth, so this asserts that he is also their Lord and governor to dispose of all men and things as he pleases.
Verse 17
[17] The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
Silence — Into the place of silence, the grave.