Psalms 115:7

They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

They have hands ^{H3027}, but they handle ^{H4184} not: feet ^{H7272} have they, but they walk ^{H1980} not: neither speak ^{H1897} they through their throat ^{H1627}.

they have hands, but they can't feel; they have feet, but they can't walk; with their throats they can't make a sound.

they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.

They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.

Psalm 115:7 is a powerful declaration highlighting the utter impotence and lifelessness of idols, contrasting them sharply with the living God of Israel. This verse, part of a larger passage (verses 4-8), serves as a stark warning against placing trust or worship in anything other than the Almighty Creator.

Context

This psalm is a communal prayer or hymn, likely sung in the temple, where the people of Israel appeal to God for help and give Him glory. It begins with a plea for God's name to be glorified, not their own, emphasizing His steadfast love and truth. The surrounding verses (Psalms 115:4-8) directly describe the characteristics of man-made idols: they are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, eyes, ears, noses, hands, and feet, but they cannot perform the functions associated with these organs. This passage directly challenges the pagan practices of surrounding nations who worshipped such lifeless images.

Key Themes

The Folly of Idolatry: The verse vividly portrays the absurdity of worshipping objects that are utterly incapable of action. Despite having the outward appearance of human features (hands, feet, throat), they possess no inherent life or power.
Impotence of False Gods: This passage underscores that idols "handle not," "walk not," and "speak not." They cannot interact, intervene, or communicate, making them useless as objects of worship or reliance. This contrasts sharply with the God who never slumbers nor sleeps and actively works for His people.
Contrast with the Living God: The implicit message is that the God of Israel is active, powerful, and responsive. He has hands that create and deliver, feet that lead and guide, and a voice that speaks and commands. This stark contrast emphasizes the unique nature of the one true God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "idols" often found in these passages is אֱלִילִים (ʾelilim), which carries the connotation of "worthlessness" or "nothingness." The repetition of "they have... but they... not" (Hebrew: לֹא, lo) strongly emphasizes their complete lack of function. This rhetorical device highlights the stark reality that these images are mere inert matter, utterly devoid of divine power or life, despite being crafted to resemble living beings.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical statues, the principles of Psalm 115:7 remain profoundly relevant. We are often tempted to place our trust, hope, and devotion in things that are ultimately powerless to truly help us or provide lasting fulfillment. These can be:

Material possessions: Wealth, possessions, or career success that promise security but ultimately cannot "handle" life's deepest needs or "walk" us through true adversity.
Human achievements or power: Relying solely on our own strength or the influence of others, which are finite and fallible.
Self-reliance: When we make ourselves the center of our universe, we become our own powerless "idol," unable to truly deliver on ultimate peace or purpose.

This verse calls us to examine what we truly worship and rely upon. It encourages us to turn from anything that cannot truly act, speak, or move on our behalf, and instead, to place our unwavering faith in the living God who is active, powerful, and intimately involved in the lives of His people. He alone is worthy of our trust and adoration.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.