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Psalms 115:17 World English Bible (WEB)

17 The dead don't praise Yah, Neither any who go down into silence;

Cross Reference

Psalms 88:10-12 WEB

Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Selah. Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Isaiah 38:18-19 WEB

For Sheol can't praise you, death can't celebrate you: Those who go down into the pit can't hope for your truth. The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do this day: The father to the children shall make known your truth.

Commentary on Psalms 115 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 115

Ps 115:1-18. The Psalmist prays that God would vindicate His glory, which is contrasted with the vanity of idols, while the folly of their worshippers is contrasted with the trust of God's people, who are encouraged to its exercise and to unite in the praise which it occasions.

1-3. The vindication of God's mercy and faithfulness (Ps 25:10; 36:6) is the "glory" of His "name," which is desired to be illustrated in the deliverance of His people, as the implied mode of its manifestation. In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as enthroned in the heaven (Ps 2:4; 11:4) is avowed.

2. Where is now, &c.—"now" is "not a particle of time, but of entreaty," as in our forms of speech, "Come now," "See now," &c.

4-7. (Compare Isa 40:18-20; 44:9-20).

7. speak … throat—literally, "mutter," not even utter articulate sounds.

8. every one that trusteth—they who trust, whether makers or not.

9-13. The repetitions imply earnestness.

14. Opposed to the decrease pending and during the captivity.

15-17. They were not only God's peculiar people, but as living inhabitants of earth, assigned the work of His praise as monuments of divine power, wisdom, and goodness.

18. Hence let us fulfil the purpose of our creation, and evermore show forth His praise.