TRV
Translation
King James Version
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Complete Jewish Bible
they have ears, but they can't listen; and they have no breath in their mouths;
American Standard Version
They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
World English Bible Messianic
They have ears, but they can’t hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Young's Literal Translation
Ears they have, and they give not ear, Nose--there is no breath in their mouth!
In the KJVVerse 16,193 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 135
"They have ears, and will not hear; neither is there any breath in their mouth" [Psalm 135:17]; "they have nostrils, and will not smell; they have hands, and will not work; they have feet, and will not walk." All these things could the carpenter, the silversmith, the goldsmith make, both eyes, and ears, and nostrils, and mouth, and hands, and feet, but he could give neither sight to the eyes, nor hearing to the ears, nor speech to the mouth, nor smell to the nostrils, nor motion to the hands, or going to the feet.
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 135:17 profoundly exposes the utter futility and lifelessness of man-made idols, declaring, "They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there [any] breath in their mouths." This verse serves as a sharp polemic against the false gods of the nations, powerfully contrasting their inertness with the dynamic omnipotence and active engagement of the one true God of Israel. It emphasizes that these crafted deities, despite their outward form, possess no inherent life, no capacity for perception, and no ability to respond or intervene, thereby rendering them utterly worthless as objects of worship and trust.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 135 is a vibrant communal hymn of praise, likely employed in temple worship, that celebrates the LORD's incomparable greatness, His mighty acts in Israel's history, and His absolute supremacy over all other gods. The psalm commences with an enthusiastic call to praise God's name and His selection of Israel as His treasured possession, as seen in Psalms 135:1-4. It then recounts God's sovereign power demonstrated in creation and His decisive historical deliverances, particularly the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, detailed in Psalms 135:5-12. The psalm then pivots sharply to a direct and scathing contrast between the living God of Israel and the lifeless idols of the nations, a polemic that spans Psalms 135:15-18. This specific verse, Psalms 135:17, is an integral part of this four-verse indictment, closely mirroring the language and themes found in Psalm 115:4-8, suggesting a common liturgical or theological tradition in ancient Israel. The psalmist's overarching aim is to reinforce the unique sovereignty of Yahweh and to issue a solemn warning against the spiritual peril of idolatry.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, the worship of a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses was ubiquitous, with each deity often associated with specific natural phenomena, cities, or aspects of human life. These deities were typically represented by physical idols meticulously crafted from wood, stone, or metal, frequently overlaid with precious materials like gold and silver. People of the time genuinely believed these idols were either actual dwelling places or potent representations of the deities, through which divine power could be accessed and prayers could be heard. Israel, despite its covenantal call to exclusive monotheism, was perpetually tempted by the polytheistic practices of surrounding cultures, a struggle vividly documented throughout its history, from Solomon's apostasy in 1 Kings 11 to Jeremiah's laments in Jeremiah 2:27-28. The forceful polemic against idols in Psalms 135, therefore, served as a crucial theological corrective and a powerful reminder of the covenantal distinctiveness of Israel's worship of the invisible, living God. The psalmist's direct, physical descriptions of the idols' inability to see, hear, or speak directly challenged and subverted the prevailing pagan worldview.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes deeply embedded within Psalm 135 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the absolute impotence and vanity of idols, highlighting their complete lack of life, consciousness, or power, in stark and deliberate contrast to the living God. These crafted objects are shown to be utterly incapable of action or response. Secondly, it serves as a profound contrast with the living God, who is repeatedly described throughout Scripture as one who truly sees all things (Psalms 34:15), hears prayers and cries for help (Psalms 65:2), speaks through His powerful word (Isaiah 55:11), and is the ultimate source of all life and breath, as seen in the creation of humanity in Genesis 2:7. Finally, the passage implicitly carries a solemn warning against idolatry, suggesting that those who place their trust and devotion in lifeless gods will themselves become spiritually inert and unresponsive, mirroring the very objects of their misplaced veneration, a chilling consequence explicitly stated in Psalms 135:18.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 135:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine supremacy and idol futility. Personification is prominently used by attributing human body parts (ears, mouths) to inanimate idols, setting up a vivid and ironic contrast. This is immediately followed by striking Antithesis, as the psalmist juxtaposes the possession of these physical features with the complete lack of their corresponding functions ("ears, but they hear not"; "mouths" without "breath"). This creates a forceful and direct Polemic against idolatry, serving as an unyielding refutation of the pagan belief in the efficacy and power of idols. The verse also carries a strong sense of Irony, highlighting the inherent absurdity of worshipping objects that are so utterly devoid of life, consciousness, and power, despite being crafted to resemble living beings. The strategic combination of these devices serves not only to mock the idols but also to profoundly reinforce the unique, active, and living nature of the God of Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a cornerstone in the biblical polemic against idolatry, asserting the radical and unbridgeable distinction between the Creator and creation. Theologically, it underscores that true deity must inherently possess life, consciousness, and the dynamic ability to act, respond, and intervene—qualities found exclusively and perfectly in the LORD. The absence of "breath" (Hebrew rûwach) in idols not only signifies their physical lifelessness but also, more profoundly, their complete lack of divine spirit or animating power, contrasting sharply with the God who breathed life into humanity and whose Spirit is the very source of all vitality, wisdom, and spiritual life. This passage challenges any notion that human constructs or created things can mediate divine power or legitimately receive worship, thereby redirecting all adoration, trust, and devotion solely to the sovereign, living God who truly sees, hears, speaks, and sustains all things by His active and omnipresent power.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the direct worship of physical statues may be less common in many contemporary societies, the principle of idolatry remains profoundly relevant and insidious. This verse compels us to engage in honest self-examination, scrutinizing our hearts and lives for anything that occupies the place of ultimate trust, devotion, or reliance that rightfully belongs to God alone. Modern idols can manifest in myriad forms: money, career success, possessions, relationships, technology, self-image, political ideologies, or even intellectual pursuits and personal achievements. Like the ancient idols, these things often promise fulfillment, security, or identity, but ultimately they cannot truly "hear" our deepest cries, "speak" true guidance into our confusion, or provide the "breath" of lasting life, purpose, and spiritual vitality. They are inherently inert and unable to deliver on their grand promises, inevitably leaving their devotees spiritually empty, unfulfilled, and enslaved. This verse serves as a powerful and urgent call to spiritual discernment, urging us to recognize precisely where our ultimate allegiance truly lies and to redirect our worship, trust, and affections solely to the living God, who truly sees, hears, speaks, and sustains all things by His active presence and boundless power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "breath" in this verse, and how does it relate to broader biblical theology?
Answer: The Hebrew word for "breath" in this verse is rûwach (רוּחַ), which carries profound theological significance beyond mere physical respiration. While it literally refers to the act of breathing and thus the absence of life in the idols, rûwach also encompasses the broader meanings of "spirit" or "wind" throughout biblical theology. For instance, in Genesis 2:7, God breathes the "breath of life" into humanity, indicating that He is the ultimate source of all vitality and existence. Similarly, God's Spirit (Rûwach) is consistently depicted as the animating force behind creation, the inspiration for prophecy, and the very essence of spiritual life (e.g., in the valley of dry bones, Ezekiel 37:9-10). Therefore, the absence of "breath" in the idols' mouths signifies not just their physical lifelessness but, more critically, their complete lack of divine spirit, power, or any capacity to impart life, speak a living word, or interact with humanity. They are utterly devoid of the very essence that defines the living, active God of Israel.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 135:17, with its stark portrayal of lifeless, inert idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound antithesis in the person of Jesus Christ, the living God incarnate. While idols possess ears but cannot hear, and mouths without breath, Jesus Christ is the very Word of God who not only heard the cries of humanity but actively responded with boundless compassion, miraculous healing, and powerful deliverance, as exemplified by His immediate response to the leper's plea in Mark 1:40-42. He is the one through whom God truly speaks, revealing the Father fully and definitively, as affirmed in Hebrews 1:1-3. Moreover, the absence of "breath" in idols underscores their utter lifelessness, but Christ is the "breath of life" personified. He declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and through His glorious resurrection, He demonstrated ultimate victory over death, breathing new life into His disciples and empowering them with the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). Unlike the mute, inert idols crafted by human hands, Christ is the active, dynamic, and eternally life-giving Lord, in whom "all things were created... and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:16-17). He is the true object of worship and devotion, for He alone possesses the inherent life, omnipotent power, and perfect responsiveness that idols so pathetically lack.