Psalms 115:17

KJV

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

KJV (with Strong's)

The dead {H4191} praise {H1984} not the LORD {H3050}, neither any that go down {H3381} into silence {H1745}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The dead can't praise ADONAI, not those who sink down into silence.

Berean Standard Bible

It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.

American Standard Version

The dead praise not Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 115:17 articulates a profound theological truth: the capacity for active, earthly praise and worship of the Lord is uniquely reserved for the living. This verse serves as a stark contrast to the preceding description of lifeless idols, emphasizing that only those who possess breath and consciousness can engage in the vibrant, vocal adoration that God desires, thereby underscoring the preciousness and purpose of human life as an arena for devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 115 is a communal psalm of praise and trust, sharply contrasting the living, active God of Israel with the inert, powerless idols of the nations. The psalm begins with a fervent plea for God's glory to be manifest, not for the sake of human reputation, but for His own name's sake, because of His steadfast love and faithfulness, as stated in [Psalms 115:1](/psalms/115-1 "Psalm 115:1 - Not to us, O LORD, but to Your Name be the glory"). It then vividly describes the impotence of idols—they have senses but cannot perceive, limbs but cannot act, a striking depiction found in [Psalms 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols"). In stark contrast, the Lord is in the heavens, doing whatever He pleases, as affirmed in [Psalms 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens"). Verse 17, therefore, serves as a powerful conclusion to this contrast, asserting that the dead, like the idols, are incapable of praise, setting the stage for the very next verse which affirms the living's commitment to bless the Lord from that time forth and forevermore, as declared in [Psalms 115:18](/psalms/115-18 "Psalm 115:18 - The Living Praise the LORD").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite thought, death was often depicted as a descent into Sheol, a shadowy realm characterized by silence, inactivity, and separation from the vibrant life of God's presence on earth. While not a place of annihilation of the soul, Sheol was understood as a realm where earthly activities, including the communal and public praise of God, ceased. The concept of praise was deeply intertwined with the physical act of breathing, speaking, and living in the land of the living, where God's covenant blessings were experienced. This understanding is distinct from later developed theological concepts of a vibrant afterlife or heavenly worship, focusing instead on the cessation of *earthly* praise. The psalm's context also reflects the pervasive idol worship in the ancient Near East, where surrounding nations worshipped deities represented by physical, often mute and immobile, images. The psalmists' emphasis on the living God's active power and the inability of the dead (or idols) to praise Him was a polemic against such practices and a call to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalms 115 and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **The Privilege and Purpose of Life for Praise**. The primary message is that while the dead cease earthly activities, including the vibrant, vocal praise of God, the living are uniquely positioned and called to worship Him. This highlights the preciousness of life as the divinely appointed arena for devotion and service to the Creator, echoing sentiments found in [Ecclesiastes 9:10](/ecclesiastes/9-10 "Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might"). Secondly, there is a clear **Contrast Between Life and Death**. The verse draws a sharp distinction between the state of being alive—capable of praise, active service, and communion with God—and the state of death, often referred to as "silence" (Hebrew: _dumah_), where such earthly activities cease. This contrast is not about the ultimate state of the soul but about the cessation of earthly, embodied worship. Finally, it implicitly conveys an **Urgency of Worship**. By highlighting the finite nature of life's opportunity for praise, the verse implicitly urges the living to seize the present moment to honor and glorify God, as this window of opportunity is limited, a theme also present in [Isaiah 38:18-19](/isaiah/38-18 "Isaiah 38:18-19 - The Grave Cannot Praise You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dead (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This word (H4191) refers to the state of physical cessation of life. In the Old Testament, those who have died are understood to have descended into Sheol, the common grave or underworld. The emphasis here is on their cessation of earthly, embodied functions, including the capacity for public, vocal praise that is characteristic of the living.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root (H1984) signifies to be clear, to shine, to boast, or to celebrate. In this context, it refers to the active, vocal, and public adoration and glorification of God. The psalm highlights that this vibrant act of worship is an exclusive privilege of the living, who possess breath and voice to declare God's greatness.
* **Silence (Hebrew, _dûwmâh'_):** This noun (H1745) literally means "silence" or "stillness." In biblical poetry, particularly in the Psalms, _dûwmâh_ serves as a poetic euphemism for the grave, Sheol, or the realm of the dead. It emphasizes a state of quietude, cessation of activity, and lack of sound, particularly the sound of praise, underscoring the absence of earthly worship in that realm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The dead praise not the LORD":** This clause asserts a fundamental truth from the perspective of earthly existence. Those who have died no longer participate in the active, public, and embodied praise of Yahweh that is characteristic of the community of faith on earth. This is not a denial of a continued existence for the soul, but a statement about the cessation of the specific form of praise offered by the living in this world. The emphasis is on the *activity* of praise, which requires life and breath.
* **"neither any that go down into silence":** This second clause functions as a poetic parallel to the first, reinforcing the same idea through a different metaphor. "Going down into silence" is a euphemism for death and descent into the grave or Sheol. The term "silence" (Hebrew: _dûwmâh_) vividly portrays the quietude and cessation of all earthly sound, including the joyful noise of praise, that characterizes the realm of the dead. It underscores that once a person enters this state, their opportunity for earthly worship is over.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 115:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("neither any that go down into silence") reiterates and reinforces the meaning of the first clause ("The dead praise not the LORD") using different but related imagery. This repetition emphasizes the absolute cessation of earthly praise upon death. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** woven throughout the psalm, which culminates in this verse. The vibrant, active, and powerful nature of the living God is contrasted with the inertness of idols and, by extension, the inactivity of the dead. The state of "life" is juxtaposed with "silence" (death), highlighting the unique privilege of the living. Finally, the phrase "go down into silence" functions as a **Euphemism** or **Symbolism** for death and the grave. "Silence" is not merely a descriptor but a symbolic representation of the complete cessation of earthly activity, including vocal praise, that accompanies death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 115:17 powerfully articulates the Old Testament understanding that active, communal praise is a function of life in the earthly realm. This perspective underscores the preciousness of life itself as the divinely appointed time and space for humanity to fulfill its primary purpose: to glorify God. It is not a statement about the ultimate state of the soul or a denial of an afterlife, but rather a focus on the cessation of earthly, embodied worship. The theological implication is that the opportunity to praise God with breath, voice, and active service is finite and bound by our mortal existence, thereby creating an urgency for the living to engage fully in worship. This concept serves as a strong motivation for believers to use their present moments to honor God, recognizing that this window of opportunity is limited.

* [Psalms 6:5](/psalms/6-5 "Psalm 6:5 - For in death there is no remembrance of You")
* [Isaiah 38:18-19](/isaiah/38-18 "Isaiah 38:18-19 - The Grave Cannot Praise You")
* [Ecclesiastes 9:10](/ecclesiastes/9-10 "Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 115:17 serves as a profound and sobering call to action for believers in every generation. It reminds us that our earthly existence is not merely a period of waiting or preparation for something else, but a precious, finite gift, whose primary purpose is to glorify God. The verse compels us to consider how we are utilizing our breath, our voices, and our very lives. Are we actively engaging in worship, service, and testimony while we have the opportunity? It fosters a sense of urgency, urging us not to postpone our devotion or take our capacity for praise for granted. This psalm encourages us to live each day with intentionality, recognizing that the time for earthly praise is limited, and therefore, every moment is an opportunity to honor the Lord through our words, deeds, and very being. It calls us to embrace a life of continuous worship, not just in designated religious activities, but in all aspects of our daily existence, as a living testament to the God who is active and alive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the finite nature of earthly life, as highlighted in this verse, impact your sense of urgency to worship and serve God today?**
* **In what practical ways can you "praise the LORD" with your life, beyond formal worship services, while you have the opportunity?**
* **What does it mean for you that your life, unlike the "dead" or "silence," is uniquely purposed for God's praise?**

### FAQ

**Does Psalms 115:17 suggest there is no afterlife or that the dead are annihilated?**

Answer: No, Psalms 115:17, along with other Old Testament passages that speak of the dead not praising God (e.g., [Psalms 6:5](/psalms/6-5 "Psalm 6:5 - In death there is no remembrance of You")), primarily refers to the cessation of *earthly*, *embodied*, and *public* praise. In ancient Israelite thought, Sheol (the realm of the dead) was understood as a place of silence and inactivity, where the vibrant, communal worship of God, characteristic of life in the land, did not occur. It does not deny the continued existence of the soul or spirit after death, but rather emphasizes that the opportunity for praise in the *physical, temporal realm* is over. The focus is on the contrast between the living who can actively praise God and the dead who cannot perform such earthly functions. Later biblical revelation, particularly in the New Testament, provides a fuller picture of the afterlife, including heavenly worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 115:17 highlights the cessation of earthly praise upon death, the New Testament, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, radically transforms this understanding. Jesus, by His death and glorious resurrection, conquered death and the grave, bringing life and immortality to light ([2 Timothy 1:10](/2_timothy/1-10 "2 Timothy 1:10 - Christ Jesus, who abolished death")). He Himself "went down into silence" (the grave) but did not remain there; He rose again, becoming the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep")). Because of Christ's victory, death no longer has the final word over praise. Believers, united with Christ, are given new life, both now and eternally, enabling them to offer continuous praise. The "dead in Christ" are not consigned to eternal silence but are alive with Him, awaiting resurrection and a glorified existence where they will join in ceaseless worship around the throne of God ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Great Multitude Worshipping God")). Thus, what seemed like a definitive end to praise in the Old Testament is transcended by the resurrection power of Christ, who ensures that His redeemed people, whether living or "asleep" in Him, will forever participate in the ultimate act of worship: glorifying the Lamb who was slain ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - Worthy are You to take the scroll")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 6:5

For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Psalms 88:10

¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

Psalms 88:12

Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Psalms 31:17

Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, [and] let them be silent in the grave.

Isaiah 38:18

For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

Isaiah 38:19

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Psalms 30:9

What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?