Psalms 115:5

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

They have mouths {H6310}, but they speak {H1696} not: eyes {H5869} have they, but they see {H7200} not:

They have mouths, but they can't speak; they have eyes, but they can't see;

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;

Commentary

Psalms 115:5, from the King James Version, states: "They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:" This verse is a poignant critique of man-made idols, highlighting their utter lifelessness and impotence in stark contrast to the living God of Israel.

Context of Psalms 115:5

Psalm 115 is a powerful hymn that contrasts the sovereignty and power of the one true God with the futility of pagan idols. The psalm begins by declaring God's glory and His faithfulness (Psalms 115:1), urging Israel to trust in Him. Verses 4 through 8, where verse 5 is found, specifically describe the characteristics of the idols worshipped by the nations, emphasizing their inability to act or perceive, despite being fashioned with human-like features. This passage serves as a theological foundation for Israel's unique identity as worshippers of the invisible, active God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Impotence of Idols: The primary message of Psalms 115:5 is the absolute powerlessness of man-made gods. They possess the form of senses (mouths, eyes) but lack any true function. This exposes the absurdity of worshipping such creations, which cannot speak, see, hear, smell, feel, or walk (Psalms 115:6-7).
  • Contrast with the True God: Implicit in this critique is the glorification of the Lord, who is active and omnipotent. Unlike the silent idols, God speaks (as in His creation through His word), He sees all things (Psalms 33:13-15), and He hears the prayers of His people. This contrast encourages absolute trust in Him alone.
  • Warning Against Idolatry: The verse, within its broader context, serves as a strong warning against the dangers of idolatry. It highlights the foolishness of placing trust or devotion in anything that is not the living God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "mouths" (peh) and "eyes" (ayin) are common terms for these body parts. The repeated phrase "but they speak not" (lo' yedaberu) and "but they see not" (lo' yiru) uses the negative particle lo', emphasizing the absolute lack of function. This simple, direct language makes the point powerfully clear: despite having the physical organs, idols are utterly devoid of life and capability. The subsequent verses continue this pattern for other senses, reinforcing the overall theme of lifelessness and the futility of their worship.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical statues, the principles of Psalms 115:5 remain profoundly relevant. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives can become an idol—be it money, power, fame, possessions, relationships, or even self-reliance. This verse calls believers to examine what they truly trust and depend on. It reminds us that only the true, living God can speak truth, discern our needs, and act on our behalf. Our worship and reliance should be placed solely on Him, who is truly capable, rather than on the fleeting and ultimately impotent things of this world. Trusting in the Lord ensures that we are not led astray by false gods or divided loyalties, but instead find our security in the one who truly sees and hears.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 10:5 (6 votes)

    They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.