Psalms 115:6

KJV

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

KJV (with Strong's)

They have ears {H241}, but they hear {H8085} not: noses {H639} have they, but they smell {H7306} not:

Complete Jewish Bible

they have ears, but they can't hear; they have noses, but they can't smell;

Berean Standard Bible

they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;

American Standard Version

They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 115:6 vividly contributes to the psalmist's scathing critique of lifeless idols, contrasting their sensory impotence—having ears yet not hearing, and noses yet not smelling—with the omniscient and active nature of the one true God. This verse, part of a broader polemic against idolatry, underscores the profound foolishness of worshipping man-made objects that are utterly incapable of perception, interaction, or response, thereby highlighting the unique and living attributes of the Lord whom Israel is called to trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 115 is part of a series of psalms (Psalms 113-118) known as the Egyptian Hallel, traditionally sung during Passover and other Jewish festivals. This particular psalm is a powerful liturgical piece, likely used in temple worship, that serves as a direct polemic against idolatry and a fervent call to trust in Yahweh. Verses [Psalms 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4 "Psalms 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols") form a distinct unit, systematically detailing the physical attributes of idols followed by their complete inability to function. Psalms 115:6 specifically builds upon the descriptions in [Psalms 115:4](/psalms/115-4 "Psalms 115:4 - Idols with Mouths but No Speech") and [Psalms 115:5](/psalms/115-5 "Psalms 115:5 - Idols with Eyes but No Sight"), extending the theme of sensory impotence to hearing and smelling. The culmination of this section in [Psalms 115:8](/psalms/115-8 "Psalms 115:8 - Those Who Make Idols Become Like Them") delivers a chilling warning: those who make and trust in idols become like them—senseless and inert. The psalm then pivots to a renewed call for Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord to trust in Him, emphasizing His active blessing and power in stark contrast to the idols.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies, including those surrounding Israel, were polytheistic and deeply immersed in idol worship. Temples housed elaborate statues of deities, believed to be the dwelling places of the gods, and rituals often involved offerings and prayers directed to these physical representations. These idols were crafted from precious materials like silver and gold, often by skilled artisans, and were sometimes even "animated" through rituals like the "washing of the mouth" or "opening of the mouth" ceremonies, intended to imbue them with life and sensory capabilities. The psalmist's detailed description of idols with physical features but no corresponding function directly counters this pervasive cultural belief. By systematically dismantling the perceived power of these idols, the psalm aimed to reinforce Israel's unique monotheistic faith in Yahweh, a God who is invisible, transcendent, and yet profoundly active and responsive, unlike the tangible, yet lifeless, deities of their neighbors. This context underscores the radical nature of Israel's covenant with a God who cannot be contained or represented by human hands.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 115:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully articulates **The Futility and Impotence of Idols**, demonstrating that despite their outward form, man-made deities are utterly incapable of perception, interaction, or response. This exposes the profound foolishness of placing trust in such objects. Secondly, the verse implicitly, yet powerfully, establishes a **Stark Contrast with the Living God**. Unlike the silent and senseless idols, the Lord is portrayed as one who truly hears the cries of His people, sees their affliction, and actively responds to their needs. This contrast is vividly echoed in [Psalms 94:9](/psalms/94-9 "Psalms 94:9 - God, the Creator of Senses, Surely Perceives"), which rhetorically asks, "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?" Finally, the passage hints at the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Deafness**, suggesting that those who fashion and worship inert idols risk becoming spiritually like them—unresponsive and incapable of perceiving divine truth, as explicitly stated in [Psalms 115:8](/psalms/115-8 "Psalms 115:8 - Those Who Trust in Idols Become Like Them"). This serves as a warning against any form of misplaced trust that dulls one's spiritual senses to the living God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ears (Hebrew, _'oznayim'_):** This plural noun refers to the organs of hearing. In biblical thought, "ears" are not merely physical organs but are often associated with the capacity for understanding, obedience, and spiritual perception. To "have ears" but "not hear" implies a profound lack of responsiveness or comprehension, extending beyond mere physical inability to a spiritual or volitional refusal to engage. For idols, it signifies their absolute inertness and inability to receive input or prayer.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _yishma'u'_):** Derived from the root שָׁמַע (shama), this verb means "to hear," "to listen," "to understand," and often, "to obey." Its negation here underscores the idols' complete incapacity to perceive sound, let alone comprehend or respond to human petitions. In contrast, the living God is consistently portrayed as one who "hears" the prayers of His people, signifying His active engagement and responsiveness.
* **Noses (Hebrew, _'af'_):** While literally meaning "nose," this word can also refer to the face or, idiomatically, to anger (as in "long-nosed" for patient, "short-nosed" for quick-tempered). Here, it clearly denotes the organ of smell. The inclusion of "noses" in this list of non-functioning senses further emphasizes the idols' utter lack of life and sensory perception, reinforcing their inanimate nature.
* **Smell (Hebrew, _yerichun'_):** This verb means "to smell" or "to perceive by scent." The inability of idols to smell is a direct challenge to ancient pagan practices where offerings, especially incense and sacrifices, were believed to be "a pleasing aroma" to the gods. The psalmist's assertion that idols cannot smell renders such offerings meaningless to them, further highlighting their non-existence as deities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have ears, but they hear not":** This clause directly challenges the very notion of idols as sentient beings capable of receiving communication or prayer. Despite being fashioned with physical appendages resembling ears, these man-made objects are utterly devoid of the capacity to perceive sound. This highlights their inertness and contrasts sharply with the living God, who is constantly portrayed as hearing the cries, prayers, and praises of His people, demonstrating His active engagement and responsiveness to humanity.
* **"noses have they, but they smell not":** Extending the critique of sensory impotence, this clause focuses on the idols' inability to smell. In ancient worship, the aroma of sacrifices and incense was often considered a vital part of the offering, a "pleasing aroma" to the deity. By stating that idols cannot smell, the psalmist exposes the futility of such offerings directed towards them, reinforcing their lifelessness and inability to derive any pleasure or perception from human actions. This further underscores their profound difference from the living God, who is depicted as receiving and delighting in the worship of His faithful.

#### Literary Devices
The power of Psalms 115:6, and indeed the broader passage, lies in its masterful use of several literary devices. **Parallelism** is central, particularly **antithetical parallelism**, where the possession of a physical organ ("ears," "noses") is immediately contrasted with the absence of its corresponding function ("hear not," "smell not"). This repetitive structure, seen also in [Psalms 115:4-5](/psalms/115-4 "Psalms 115:4-5 - Idols' Sensory Impotence"), creates a rhythmic, almost mocking tone that systematically dismantles the credibility of idols. The psalmist employs **personification** by attributing human body parts (ears, noses) to inanimate objects, only to immediately negate their functional capacity, thereby emphasizing their lifelessness. This serves as a rhetorical device to highlight the absurdity of worshipping such objects. Furthermore, the passage uses **irony**: the very objects crafted to represent powerful deities are shown to be utterly powerless and senseless. This serves as a powerful **polemic** against idolatry, a direct and forceful argument against the worship of false gods, using vivid, sensory language to make its point undeniably clear. The cumulative effect is a profound theological statement on the nature of true divinity versus man-made substitutes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of Psalms 115:6 extend far beyond a simple critique of ancient pagan practices. The verse serves as a foundational statement on the nature of true divinity: God is not merely an abstract concept but a living, active, and responsive being who perceives, understands, and acts. In contrast, anything that is man-made, whether a physical idol or a conceptual substitute for God, is inherently lifeless and impotent. This distinction is crucial for understanding the biblical emphasis on monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The inability of idols to hear or smell underscores their utter lack of immanence and transcendence; they cannot interact with the world or their worshippers. This theological truth calls believers to place their trust solely in the God who truly hears their prayers, sees their needs, and responds with power and love, fostering a dynamic, living relationship rather than a static, one-sided devotion.

* [Deuteronomy 4:28](/deuteronomy/4-28 "Deuteronomy 4:28 - Idols That Cannot See, Hear, Eat, or Smell")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3 "Jeremiah 10:3-5 - The Worthlessness of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While overt worship of physical idols may be less common in many contemporary societies, the core spiritual challenge presented by Psalms 115:6 remains profoundly relevant. The verse compels us to examine what we truly place our ultimate trust, hope, and devotion in. Modern "idols" often manifest as anything we elevate to a position of ultimate authority or source of security apart from the living God—be it wealth, career success, social status, personal achievements, technology, or even self-reliance. These contemporary idols, much like their ancient counterparts, promise fulfillment or control but are ultimately inert; they cannot truly hear our deepest cries, respond to our existential needs, or provide lasting comfort and salvation. This passage calls us to a radical self-assessment: are we investing our lives and spiritual energy into things that are fundamentally unresponsive and incapable of true interaction, or are we cultivating a vibrant, responsive relationship with the God who actively listens, sees, knows, and intervenes on behalf of His beloved children? The psalmist urges us to turn from anything that promises life but delivers inertness, and instead to place our full confidence in the Lord, who truly hears our prayers and responds with wisdom, love, and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" in my life, whether tangible or intangible, might be diverting my ultimate trust and devotion away from the living God?**
* **In what ways do I seek answers, comfort, or security from sources that are ultimately unresponsive or inert, rather than from God who truly hears and acts?**
* **How does the psalmist's vivid contrast between lifeless idols and the living God challenge my understanding of worship and spiritual engagement today?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalm focus so much on the physical senses of idols?**

Answer: The psalm's detailed focus on the physical senses (mouths, eyes, ears, noses, hands, feet) of idols, followed by the negation of their corresponding functions, serves a crucial polemical purpose. In the ancient world, pagan deities were often represented by elaborate statues, and rituals were sometimes performed to "animate" them or believe they could perceive offerings. By systematically listing these senses and asserting their non-functionality, the psalmist directly refutes the claims of idol worship. It highlights the profound difference between the lifeless, man-made objects and the living God of Israel, who truly sees, hears, speaks, and acts. This vivid contrast exposes the absurdity and futility of worshipping something that cannot even perceive its worshippers or their pleas, as seen in [Psalms 94:9](/psalms/94-9 "Psalms 94:9 - God, the Creator of Senses, Surely Perceives").

**How can this verse be relevant to people today who don't worship physical idols?**

Answer: While physical idol worship may not be as prevalent in many contemporary societies, the spiritual principle behind Psalms 115:6 remains profoundly relevant. The verse challenges us to identify anything in our lives that we elevate to a position of ultimate trust, hope, or devotion apart from the living God. These "modern idols" can be anything from wealth, career success, social media validation, personal achievements, or even political ideologies. The core message is that anything we rely on more than God for our ultimate security, identity, or fulfillment is ultimately inert and incapable of truly hearing our deepest needs, responding to our cries, or providing lasting salvation. It calls us to recognize the futility of placing our faith in anything that is not the active, responsive, and sovereign God, who truly hears and acts on behalf of His people, as described throughout [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 115:6, with its stark contrast between lifeless idols and the living God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's polemic against idols, which cannot hear or smell, powerfully foreshadows the active, incarnate presence of God in Jesus. Unlike the inert statues, Jesus is God made flesh, fully possessing and perfectly exercising divine senses and power. He is the one who truly "hears" the cries of the sick and the repentant, as seen in His healing of the blind and deaf ([Mark 7:31-37](/mark/7-31 "Mark 7:31-37 - Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man")) and His response to the pleas of the Canaanite woman ([Matthew 15:21-28](/matthew/15-21-28 "Matthew 15:21-28 - The Faith of the Canaanite Woman")). Moreover, in His sacrificial death, Jesus became the ultimate "pleasing aroma" to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")), a perfect offering that truly ascends to the Father, unlike the futile offerings to senseless idols. The spiritual blindness and deafness associated with idol worship in the Old Testament are overcome in Christ, who opens eyes and ears to spiritual truth ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures")). Through Him, we are called to worship the living God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), recognizing that our God is not a silent, immobile deity, but the One who speaks, hears, and acts through His Son, the very embodiment of divine responsiveness and life.

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.