Psalms 115:17

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 115:17 declares a profound truth about the purpose of life and the nature of praise. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the opportunity to glorify God is uniquely reserved for the living.

Context

This verse is part of a larger psalm (Psalm 115) that sharply contrasts the true, living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by the nations. The psalm begins by calling for God's glory to be evident (Psalm 115:1), then describes the impotence of idolsโ€”they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, hands but cannot feel. In stark contrast, the Lord is active, powerful, and blesses His people. Verse 17 underscores that praise and active worship are functions of life, setting the stage for the following verse which affirms the living's commitment to bless the Lord.

Key Themes

  • The Privilege of Life for Praise: The core message is that while the dead cease earthly activities, including praise, the living are uniquely positioned and called to worship God. This highlights the preciousness of life as the arena for devotion.
  • Contrast Between Life and Death: The verse draws a clear distinction between the state of being alive, capable of praise and active service, and the state of death, often referred to as "silence" (dumah), where such earthly activities cease.
  • Urgency of Worship: It implicitly urges the living to seize the present moment to honor and glorify God, as this opportunity is finite.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dead" is metim (ืžึตืชึดื™ื), referring to those who have expired. The phrase "go down into silence" uses the Hebrew term dumah (ื“ื•ึผืžึธื”), which literally means "silence" or "stillness." In biblical poetry, it often serves as a poetic synonym for the grave or the realm of the dead (Sheol), emphasizing a state of quietude and cessation of earthly activity, rather than annihilation. This isn't a statement on the afterlife's nature, but rather on the cessation of earthly praise and active worship from that state.

Related Scriptures

This verse echoes sentiments found elsewhere in the Old Testament, such as Psalm 6:5, which states, "For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" Similarly, Isaiah 38:18 affirms, "For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee." The powerful counterpoint to this verse is found in the very next verse, Psalm 115:18, which declares, "But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD." This immediate follow-up underscores the living's vital role in continuous worship.

Practical Application

Psalms 115:17 serves as a profound call to action for believers today. It reminds us that our earthly existence is a precious gift, and a primary reason for that gift is to glorify God in all we do. This verse encourages us to use our breath, our voices, and our lives to actively praise and serve the Lord while we have the opportunity. It fosters a sense of urgency to live a life of worship, not postponing our devotion, but embracing it fully in the present moment, recognizing that the time for earthly praise is finite.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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?
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