Not to Us but to Your Name
Study note
The glory belongs to God, not to us. Why should the nations ask 'Where is their God?' Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.
1 The glory does not belong to us, Lord -- not to us at all. It belongs to your name, because of your loyal love and your truth. Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Why should the other nations get away with asking, "So where is their God?" Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he decides to do. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Lifeless Idols
Study note
The idols of the nations are silver and gold made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear. Those who make them and trust them become like them.
4 Their idols are just silver and gold, shaped by human hands. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths that cannot say a word. They have eyes that cannot see a thing. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears that cannot pick up a single sound. They have noses that cannot smell anything. They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands that cannot feel, feet that cannot take a step, and throats that cannot make the smallest noise. They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 The people who make them will end up just as lifeless. So will everyone who puts their trust in them. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Trust in the Lord
Study note
Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord are called to trust in him. He is their help and shield. The Lord will bless those who fear him — small and great alike.
9 Israel, put your confidence in the Lord! He is the one who helps you and shields you. O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10 Family of Aaron, put your confidence in the Lord! He is the one who helps you and shields you. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11 Everyone who respects the Lord, put your confidence in him! He is the one who helps you and shields you. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has not forgotten us, and he will bless us. He will bless the family of Israel. He will bless the family of Aaron. 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.
13 He will bless all who respect the Lord. It does not matter if they are big or small. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
The Lord Has Given the Earth to Humans
Study note
May the Lord give you increase. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to humanity. The dead cannot praise the Lord, but we will praise him from this time on and forever. Praise the Lord!
14 May the Lord make your families grow bigger and bigger -- both you and your children. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 May the Lord who made heaven and earth pour his blessings over you. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens are the Lord's own territory, but he gave the earth to the people who live on it. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 Dead people do not praise the Lord. Those who have gone down into the silence of the grave cannot praise him. The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we -- we will praise the Lord from now until forever! Praise the Lord! But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.