TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands.
World English Bible Messianic
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The idoles of the heathen are siluer and golde, euen the worke of mens handes.
Young's Literal Translation
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, Work of the hands of man.
In the KJVVerse 16,191 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 135 verses 15–21
15 ¶ The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
The design of these verses is,
I. To arm the people of God against idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods they were that the heathen worshipped, as we had it before, Psa 115:4, etc. 1. They were gods of their own making; being so, they could have no power but what their makers gave them, and then what power could their makers receive from them? The images were the work of men's hands, and the deities that were supposed to inform them were as much the creatures of men's fancy and imagination. 2. They had the shape of animals, but could not perform the least act, no, not of the animal life. They could neither see, nor hear, nor speak, nor so much as breathe; and therefore to make them with eyes, and ears, and mouths, and nostrils, was such a jest that one would wonder how reasonable creatures could suffer themselves to be so imposed upon as to expect any good from such mock-deities. 3. Their worshippers were therefore as stupid and senseless as they were, both those that made them to be worshipped and those that trusted in them when they were made, Psa 135:18. The worshipping of such gods as were the objects of sense, and senseless, made the worshippers sensual and senseless. Let our worshipping a God that is a Spirit make us spiritual and wise.
II. To stir up the people of God to true devotion in the worship of the true God, Psa 135:19-21. The more deplorable the condition of the Gentile nations that worship idols is the more are we bound to thank God that we know better. Therefore, 1. Let us set ourselves about the acts of devotion, and employ ourselves in them: Bless the Lord, and again and again, bless the Lord. In the parallel place (Psa 115:9-11), by way of inference from the impotency of idols, the duty thus pressed upon us is to trust in the Lord; here to bless him; by putting our trust in God we give glory to him, and those that depend upon God shall not want matter of thanksgiving to him. All persons that knew God are here called to praise him - the house of Israel (the nation in general), the house of Aaron and the house of Levi (the Lord's ministers that attended in his sanctuary), and all others that feared the Lord, though they were not of the house of Israel. 2. Let God have the glory of all: Blessed be the Lord. The tribute of praise arises out of Zion. All God's works do praise him, but his saints bless him; and they need not go far to pay their tribute, for he dwells in Jerusalem, in his church, which they are members of, so that he is always nigh unto them to receive their homage. The condescensions of his grace, in dwelling with men upon the earth, call for our grateful and thankful returns, and our repeated Hallelujahs.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–21. Public domain.
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TertullianAD 220
SCORPIACE 2
“I am the Lord your God. You shall not make for yourselves idols fashioned by the hand, neither set up a graven image. Nor shall you set up a remarkable stone in your land [to worship it]: I am the Lord your God.” These words indeed were first spoken by the Lord by the lips of Moses, being applicable certainly to whomsoever the Lord God of Israel may lead forth in like manner from the Egypt of a most superstitious world and from the place of human slavery. But from the mouth of every prophet in succession sounds forth also utterances of the same God, augmenting the same law of his by a renewal of the same commands, and in the first place announcing no other duty in so special a manner as being on guard against all making and worshiping of idols; as when by the mouth of David he says, “The gods of the nations are silver and gold: they have eyes, and see not; they have ears, and hear not; they have a nose, and smell not; a mouth, and they speak not; hands, and they handle not; feet and they walk not. Like to them shall be they who make them and trust in them.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 135
Lastly, after all that arrangement and dispensation, the Spirit of God turns itself to reproaching and ridiculing those idols, which are now ridiculed by their very worshippers. "The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold" [Psalm 135:15]. As God made all these things, who made whatever He would in heaven and earth, what can anything that man makes be, but an object of ridicule, not adoration? Was He perchance about to speak of "the idols of the Gentiles," that we might despise them all? Was He about to speak of the idols of the heathen, stones and wood, plaster and pottery? I say not these, they are mean materials. I speak of that which they specially love, that which they specially honour. "The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the work of men's hands." Surely it is gold, surely it is silver: because silver glitters, and gold glitters, have they therefore eyes, or do they see?
Maximus of TurinAD 465
SERMON 73:5
Therefore, who would not blush, if they had any humanity, to close the day without a number of psalms, when the birds themselves prance about in the sweetness of a psalter as their way of giving thanks? Who would not blush to fail to make his glory resound with the sweetness of verses, when the birds proclaim his praise with the song they sing? Therefore, brother, imitate the tiny birds by rendering thanks to the Maker morning and evening. And if you are more pious, imitate the nightingale; because the day alone does not suffice for speaking praises—it passes through the watches of the night in its all-night song! Therefore, you too overcome the day with your praises and add to your work the courses of the night, and comfort with a series of psalms the sleepless industry of the work you have undertaken! And because I have mentioned these birds which keep watch at night, I do not want you to imitate the owl; although it keeps watch at night, it is nonetheless lazy or blind during the day; with its big eyes it is content with the dark shadows and abhors the splendor of the sun. In a marvelous manner, it finds light in the darkness, but is blinded by the light. That animal is an example of the heretics and heathen. They embrace the shadows of the devil, abhor the light of the Savior, and with the big eyes of their arguments they discern empty matters but do not look towards eternal things. The Lord says about them: “They have eyes and yet do not see; they walk in darkness.” Their eyes are keen when it comes to superstition, but are dim when it comes to divine matters; although they think that they fly away by their subtle discourses, nonetheless like true owls they are thrown into confusion by the splendor of the light.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 135:15 delivers a profound theological indictment against idolatry, sharply contrasting the lifeless, man-made deities of the gentile nations with the living, sovereign God of Israel. This verse powerfully exposes the inherent futility and impotence of idols, revealing them as mere material objects—silver and gold—fashioned by human hands, possessing no breath, power, or capacity to act. It serves as a foundational call for believers to commit to an exclusive and authentic worship of the one true Creator, setting Him apart from all human inventions.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 135:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and force. Antithesis is the foundational device, creating a sharp and intentional contrast between the living, active, and sovereign God of Israel (implied from the broader psalm's preceding verses) and the lifeless, passive, and impotent idols of the heathen. The verse utilizes metonymy by referring to "silver and gold" to represent the idols themselves, highlighting their material composition and inherent lack of spiritual essence or divine power. The phrase "the work of men's hands" functions as a powerful synecdoche, where "hands" represent the entirety of human effort, skill, and limited power, emphasizing that these objects are entirely human-made and thus utterly devoid of divine origin or inherent power. This direct attribution of creation to human hands serves as a potent polemic against idolatry, systematically dismantling any claim of divinity for these objects by exposing their mundane and dependent origins.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 135:15 serves as a foundational theological statement on the absolute distinction between the nature of God and the nature of idols, asserting the absolute uniqueness and sovereignty of Yahweh. It underscores the profound biblical truth that God is uncreated, transcendent, self-existent, and living, while idols are created, immanent (within human reach and control), and lifeless. This distinction is crucial for understanding the covenantal call to exclusive worship and the dangers of spiritual syncretism, which constantly threatened ancient Israel. The verse's forceful polemic against idols highlights that true worship must be directed toward the One who acts decisively in history, creates and sustains all things, and truly hears and responds, not towards mute, inert objects that are utterly dependent on human fabrication for their form and even their existence. The theological message is clear: ultimate trust, allegiance, and worship belong only to the God who is, not to what humans make or imagine.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the explicit worship of physical idols of silver and gold may seem distant to many in contemporary society, the core principle of Psalms 135:15 remains profoundly relevant and challenging. Modern idolatry often takes more subtle, yet equally destructive, forms. Anything that displaces God from His rightful place of ultimate allegiance, trust, and devotion in our lives becomes an idol. This can manifest as an excessive pursuit of wealth, status, career success, personal comfort, or even the elevation of human wisdom, political ideologies, self-image, or technological advancements above divine truth. The verse challenges us to critically examine what we truly rely on, what consumes our thoughts and energies, and what we believe holds the power to secure our future or provide ultimate satisfaction. It calls us to recognize the inherent emptiness and ultimate inability of anything "the work of men's hands"—whether literal or metaphorical—to deliver true life, lasting peace, or eternal salvation. Our application, therefore, is a continuous call to repent from any form of idolatry, to re-center our lives on the living God, and to cultivate a worship that is exclusive, heartfelt, and rooted in His incomparable power, faithfulness, and self-sufficiency.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "silver and gold" in describing idols?
Answer: The mention of "silver and gold" in Psalms 135:15 is highly significant because it highlights the material value and immense human effort invested in creating these idols, yet simultaneously underscores their spiritual worthlessness and inherent limitation. While these precious metals signify wealth, craftsmanship, and perceived grandeur, the verse emphasizes that they are still just inert matter. The psalmist's point is that despite their costly composition, these objects remain "the work of men's hands," devoid of life, power, or divine essence. This contrasts sharply with the God of Israel, who is not made of any material, whose value is infinite and inherent, and whose glory cannot be contained or represented by human craft, as seen in passages like Isaiah 40:18-20.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical condemnation of idolatry?
Answer: Psalms 135:15 is a concise and powerful expression of a pervasive biblical theme: the condemnation of idolatry. From the foundational commands of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:3-5) to the fervent denunciations in the prophetic books (Jeremiah 10:1-16 and Isaiah 44:9-20), the Bible consistently denounces the worship of anything other than the one true God. This verse contributes uniquely by emphasizing the origin of idols (human hands) and their composition (mere materials), thereby exposing their fundamental impotence and the profound folly of worshipping them. It serves as a stark reminder that only the uncreated Creator, not the created thing, is worthy of worship and ultimate trust.
Does this verse have relevance for Christians today, given that physical idol worship is less common?
Answer: Absolutely. While overt worship of physical statues may be less common in many modern societies, the principle of idolatry remains profoundly relevant and active. Idolatry, at its heart, is placing ultimate trust, devotion, or allegiance in anything or anyone other than God. For Christians today, "idols of the heathen" can manifest as materialism, self-worship, the relentless pursuit of power or fame, an overreliance on technology or human ingenuity, or even the elevation of political ideologies, human wisdom, or personal comfort above divine truth. Psalms 135:15 serves as a timeless warning against anything that competes with God for the supreme place in our hearts and lives, urging us to examine what we truly depend on and where our ultimate hope and security lie, echoing the New Testament call to flee from idolatry in 1 John 5:21.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 135:15, with its stark contrast between lifeless idols and the living God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's relentless polemic against idols, which are "the work of men's hands" and utterly powerless, underscores the inherent inability of humanity to create a god worthy of worship or capable of salvation. In striking contrast, Jesus Christ is not a created being but the uncreated, eternal Son of God, the very image of the invisible God, through whom all things were created, in heaven and on earth. He is the embodiment of the living God whom the psalmist extols, demonstrating divine power over creation, sickness, sin, and death. Unlike the mute and powerless idols, Christ speaks with ultimate authority, performs miracles that testify to His divine nature, and ultimately offers eternal life to all who believe in Him. His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and victorious resurrection definitively prove His unique power and ability to save humanity from sin and death—something no idol, no matter how precious its material, could ever achieve. Therefore, the Old Testament's call to turn from idols to the living God culminates in the New Testament's invitation to turn from all false gods and trust exclusively in Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and mankind, who alone is truly worthy of all worship, allegiance, and devotion.