King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] now their God?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why should the nations ask, "Where is their God?"
Berean Standard Bible:
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
American Standard Version:
Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Wherefore should the heathen{H1471} say{H559}, Where is now their God{H430}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 42:3
- My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God?
Psalms 79:10
- Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed.
Psalms 42:10
- [As] with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?
Exodus 32:12
- Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Joel 2:17
- Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?
Numbers 14:15
- Now [if] thou shalt kill [all] this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
Numbers 14:16
- Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
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Commentary for Psalms 115:2
Psalm 115:2, "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] now their God?" is part of a larger psalm that is often categorized as a liturgical poem or a hymn. This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms, which is the concern for the reputation of God among the nations. The historical context of this verse likely dates back to the period after the Babylonian exile when the people of Israel were grappling with their identity and the worship of their God in a world dominated by polytheistic cultures and powerful empires.
In this verse, the psalmist is expressing a deep concern that the nations might question the power or existence of the God of Israel because of the apparent triumph of other gods and the military and political successes of pagan nations. The use of the term "heathen" refers to those who do not worship the God of Israel, and the question posed reflects a fear that the misfortunes of Israel might be interpreted as evidence of their God's impotence or abandonment.
The overarching theme here is the challenge of maintaining faith in the face of adversity and the importance of theophany, or God's manifestation, in the world. The psalmist is calling for a demonstration of God's power and presence to silence the taunts of the nations and to confirm to both Israel and the world that the God of Israel is the true and living God. This verse underscores the tension between belief in a sovereign God and the reality of suffering and defeat, a tension that is a recurring motif throughout the Hebrew Bible. It also highlights the missional aspect of Israel's faith, as the honor of their God was tied to His recognition by all peoples.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.