Psalms

Psalms 115: Give glory to the living LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the call to trust our help and shield, let us consider what receives our confidence and praise. Ask God to turn us from idols to Jesus and make His name precious to our family.

“What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols?

Habakkuk 2:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the living Lord remembers those who fear Him and deserves their trust and praise. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The prayer asks glory for the Lord's name because of His loving kindness and truth, while nations question where their God is. God rules from heaven and does whatever He pleases, while human hands make silver and gold idols that cannot speak, see, hear or move. Those who make and trust these images become like them. Israel, Aaron's house and all who fear the Lord are called to trust their help and shield. He remembers and blesses His people, small and great, and the singer prays for increase to them and their children. The Maker owns the heavens and gives earth to mankind, whose living voices must praise Him while the dead go into silence.

As you read Psalms 115, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The living LORD deserves glory and trust, for idols are helpless and He remembers and blesses those who fear Him.

God's loving kindness and truth give His people reason to seek His glory when surrounding nations mock. His heavenly rule answers their question, because His freedom to act rests beyond any human permission. The idols' precious metal cannot give life to mouths, eyes, ears or limbs shaped by their makers. Trusting such works leaves people sharing the helplessness of what they worship. Israel, the priestly house and everyone who fears God are therefore called to trust the One who helps and shields them. His remembered care brings promised blessing to both small and great, followed by a prayer that He increase them and their children. The Creator's ownership of heaven and gift of earth place human life beneath His generous authority. The grave's earthly silence makes the living congregation's pledge to bless Him an urgent use of the breath He gives.

How does Psalm 115 show us that the living LORD deserves glory and trust, for idols are helpless and He remembers and blesses those who fear Him?

God's faithful name deserves glory, and His heavenly rule deserves trust.

The prayer seeks God's honour because of His loving kindness and truth. Nations mock the people by asking where their God is. His place in heaven and freedom to do His will answer their contempt.

Trusting lifeless idols makes their worshippers share their helplessness.

Human hands give silver and gold the shape of living senses and limbs. Those forms cannot speak, see, hear, feel or walk. Makers and worshippers become like the powerless works in which they trust.

God remembers those who fear Him and gives the living reason for praise.

Israel, Aaron's house and all who fear God are called to trust their help and shield. His blessing reaches both small and great. The prayer seeks increase for parents and children, while the living promise praise before their voices fall silent in death.

Memorise

But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.

Psalm 115:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what powerless thing am I trusting instead of giving glory to the Lord Jesus?

The prayer begins, “to your name give glory,” because God's kindness and truth deserve the praise. Silver and gold cannot hear the people who bow before them. The living Lord remembers those who fear Him.

We have given created things the trust and honour owed to Him. Jesus carried the sins of His idolatrous people to the cross, dying under their Maker's righteous anger to restore their peace with Him. He rose again. His completed sacrifice is enough for their forgiveness, securing the welcome no lifeless object can give.

Turn from your idols and trust Jesus Christ. Pardon is given to all who seek Him in faith. Ask Him to make the glory of His name more precious to you than your own. The Lord remembers everyone who trusts Him as their help and shield, giving His redeemed people living voices with which to bless His name.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the living Lord remembers those who fear Him and deserves their trust and praise. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Give glory to God for His kindness and truth, confess misplaced trust and ask for hearts that praise Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24

Living God, all glory belongs to Your name for Your loving kindness and truth. Please forgive our trust in helpless things and bring us to Jesus for the pardon His finished work secures. Remember Your people, small and great, and give our children hearts that fear You. Teach us to use the breath You give for thankful praise and willing obedience. Amen.