Psalms 135:15

ยถ The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

The idols {H6091} of the heathen {H1471} are silver {H3701} and gold {H2091}, the work {H4639} of men's {H120} hands {H3027}.

The idols of the nations are mere silver and gold, made by human hands.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of menโ€™s hands.

Commentary

Psalms 135:15 offers a sharp critique of pagan worship, contrasting the lifelessness of man-made deities with the living power of the God of Israel. This verse is part of a larger hymn of praise that extols the Lord's mighty acts and sovereign control over all creation.

Context of Psalms 135:15

Psalm 135 is a liturgical psalm, likely used in temple worship, that summarizes God's historical faithfulness to Israel. It celebrates His election of Israel (Psalm 135:4), His power over nature and nations (Psalm 135:6), and His deliverance of His people from Egypt and various kings (Psalm 135:8-12). Verses 15-18 specifically focus on the stark contrast between the true God and the "idols of the heathen," directly echoing the themes found in Psalm 115:4-8.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Futility of Idolatry: The primary message is the inherent worthlessness and impotence of idols. They are described as "silver and gold," highlighting their material composition and origin in human craftsmanship, not divine power. This exposes the folly of worshipping something that has no life or ability to act.
  • Human Origin vs. Divine Creator: The phrase "the work of men's hands" is crucial. It underscores that idols are products of human imagination and labor, not divine beings. This stands in stark contrast to the Lord, who is the Creator of all things and not Himself created.
  • A Call to True Worship: By exposing the emptiness of idols, the psalmist implicitly calls the worshiper to recognize and adore the living God who alone is worthy of praise and trust.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "idols" here is 'elilim (ืึฑืœึดื™ืœึดื™ื), which carries connotations of worthlessness, vanity, or non-existence. It's a derogatory term emphasizing their utter lack of power or reality as deities. The "heathen" refers to the goyim (ื’ึผื•ึนื™ึดื), the nations or Gentiles, who practiced polytheistic religions. The description of idols as "silver and gold" points to their precious material, yet the emphasis is on their being "the work of men's hands," signifying their manufactured, non-divine nature, a theme echoed in prophetic books like Isaiah 44:9-20.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical statues of silver and gold, the principle of this verse remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry today often manifests in more subtle forms:

  • Materialism: Placing ultimate trust and value in wealth, possessions, or career success.
  • Self-Worship: Elevating one's own desires, achievements, or image above God's will.
  • Dependence on Human Systems: Trusting solely in political power, scientific advancement, or human wisdom rather than divine providence.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder to examine our hearts and ensure that our ultimate allegiance and trust are placed in the living God, who alone has power, life, and the ability to save, unlike anything "the work of men's hands" can offer. It encourages us to worship the true and living God.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 115:4

    Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

  • Psalms 115:8

    They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

  • Acts 17:29

    Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

  • Isaiah 44:9

    ยถ They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

  • Isaiah 44:20

    He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

  • Jeremiah 10:3

    For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

  • Jeremiah 10:11

    Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
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