TRV
Translation
King James Version
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Complete Jewish Bible
The people who make them will become like them, along with everyone who trusts in them.
American Standard Version
They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
World English Bible Messianic
Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.
In the KJVVerse 16,194 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
And man, you laugh doubtless at what you have made, if you know by whom you are made. But of them who know not, what is said? "All they who make them, and all they who trust in them, are like them" [Psalm 135:18]. And ye believe, brethren, that there is a likeness to these idols expressed not in their flesh, but in their inner man. For "they have ears, and hear not." God calls to them indeed, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." [Matthew 11:15] They have eyes, and see not, for they have the eyes of the body, and not the eyes of faith. Lastly, this prophecy is fulfilled among all the nations....Is it not fulfilled? Is it not seen, as it is written? And they who remain have eyes, and see not; have nostrils, and smell not. They perceive not that savour. "We are a good savour of Christ," [2 Corinthians 2:15] as the apostle says everywhere. What profits it, that they have nostrils, and smell not that so sweet savour of Christ? Truly it is done in them, and truly it is said of them, "All they who make them," etc.
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 135:18 delivers a profound warning against idolatry, asserting that those who fashion and place their confidence in lifeless idols inevitably become like the very objects they worship—spiritually inert, deaf, and blind to divine truth. This verse serves as a climactic statement in a psalm that contrasts the living, sovereign power of Yahweh with the utter impotence of man-made gods, highlighting the transformative nature of worship and the ultimate futility of misplaced trust.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 135 is a powerful hymn of praise, likely used in temple worship, that extols the incomparable majesty and sovereignty of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It begins with a fervent call to praise Yahweh's name and then recounts God's mighty acts in history, from His choice of Israel as His special possession to His deliverance from Egypt through plagues and wonders and the conquest of Canaanite kings. The immediate context for verse 18 is found in Psalms 135:15-17, which vividly describes the physical characteristics and inherent powerlessness of idols: they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and no breath. Verse 18 then draws the chilling theological conclusion, extending the idols' lifelessness to their makers and worshippers, thereby serving as the culmination of the psalm's anti-idolatry polemic before returning to a final call for blessings upon Yahweh.
Historical & Cultural Context: The ancient Near East was saturated with polytheistic religions, where various gods and goddesses were represented by physical idols crafted from wood, stone, or metal. These idols were not merely symbolic but were often believed to be actual dwelling places for the deity's spirit or at least conduits for their power. Worship involved elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and prostration before these images. Israel, surrounded by such practices, was constantly tempted to adopt these foreign customs, as evidenced throughout their history (e.g., the golden calf in Exodus 32, Baal worship during the time of Elijah in 1 Kings 18). Psalms 135, like many other psalms and prophetic books, serves as a powerful theological corrective, reminding Israel of the unique nature of their God—a living, active, sovereign being who is utterly distinct from the inert, man-made deities of the nations. This contrast reinforced Israel's covenant identity and their call to exclusive worship of Yahweh.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalms 135 and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the Nature of Worship, revealing that worship is inherently transformative; what one worships profoundly shapes who one becomes. If one's ultimate devotion is directed towards lifeless objects, spiritual vitality is inevitably diminished. Secondly, the verse highlights the Futility of Idolatry, emphasizing the absolute powerlessness of idols in contrast to the omnipotence of Yahweh, a theme pervasive in prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20). Idols cannot respond, save, or provide; trust in them leads only to disillusionment and spiritual barrenness. Lastly, it speaks to the principle of Spiritual Assimilation, where the worshiper takes on the characteristics of the worshipped. This is not merely a physical resemblance but a profound spiritual and existential conformity, contrasting sharply with the divine call for God's people to reflect His character and holiness.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 135:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Simile, explicitly stating "are like unto them," drawing a direct comparison between the idolaters and their idols. This simile is powerfully reinforced by the Irony inherent in the situation: humans, who are created in the image of a living God, fashion inanimate objects and then become like those objects, losing their spiritual vitality. The preceding verses (Psalms 135:15-17) use Anthropomorphism in Reverse (or perhaps Dis-anthropomorphism), describing idols with human body parts (mouths, eyes, ears) but denying them the corresponding functions (speaking, seeing, hearing, breathing). This sets up a stark Contrast with the living God, whose power and attributes are celebrated throughout the psalm. Finally, the verse exhibits Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses "They that make them are like unto them" and "so is every one that trusteth in them" convey the same core truth from slightly different angles, reinforcing the idea that both the creation and the reliance upon idols lead to the same spiritual outcome.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 135:18 articulates a profound theological principle: the nature of our worship inevitably shapes our character and spiritual vitality. This verse serves as a stark warning that misplaced trust in anything other than the living God leads to a spiritual state mirroring the lifelessness of the object worshipped. It underscores the inherent danger of idolatry, not merely as a violation of God's command but as a debilitating spiritual practice that diminishes human potential for genuine relationship with the divine. The God of Israel is dynamic, active, and responsive, and those who trust in Him are transformed into His likeness, reflecting His glory and life. Conversely, those who trust in static, inert idols become spiritually inert themselves, unable to perceive or respond to the vibrant reality of God. This principle extends beyond physical idols to any object of ultimate devotion, whether it be wealth, power, self, or human approval, all of which ultimately prove to be empty and leave their devotees spiritually barren.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the immediate context of Psalms 135:18 addresses the ancient practice of worshipping physical idols, its underlying principle remains profoundly relevant for contemporary life. Modern idolatry often takes more subtle, insidious forms, manifesting in anything that usurps God's rightful place as the ultimate object of our trust, devotion, and security. Whether it's the relentless pursuit of material possessions, the insatiable craving for social media validation, the blind allegiance to political ideologies, or the self-worship of personal achievements and comfort, anything we "make" or "trust in" more than God risks shaping us into its own image—empty, fragile, and ultimately lifeless. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify the true objects of our dependence and devotion. Are we becoming more like the fleeting, powerless things of this world, or are we being transformed into the likeness of the living, eternal God? Our spiritual vitality, discernment, and capacity for true joy are directly correlated with the object of our ultimate trust. To truly live, we must trust in the One who alone is truly alive.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean that if I trust in money, I will literally become like money?
Answer: No, the verse does not imply a literal, physical transformation. Instead, it speaks to a profound spiritual and existential conformity. When the Psalmist says "like unto them," referring to idols that are deaf, blind, and lifeless (Psalms 135:15-17), he is highlighting a spiritual deadness. If you place your ultimate trust in money, for example, you risk becoming spiritually impoverished, unable to see beyond material gain, deaf to spiritual truths, and ultimately finding that your "security" is as fleeting and inanimate as the object of your trust. It's about the erosion of spiritual vitality and discernment, leading to a state of being that mirrors the emptiness of the idol itself, rather than reflecting the life and character of the living God. This principle is echoed in other biblical warnings against greed and materialism, such as Matthew 6:24, which states one cannot serve both God and money.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 135:18, with its stark warning against the spiritual deadness that comes from worshipping lifeless idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and antidote in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently contrasts the impotence of man-made gods with the living God, but it is in Christ that the full reality of the living God is perfectly embodied. He is not a silent, unseeing, or unhearing idol, but the very Word made flesh, who speaks with authority (Matthew 7:29), sees into the hearts of humanity (John 2:25), and hears every prayer (John 14:13-14). Furthermore, the principle of becoming like what we worship is powerfully reversed in Christ. Those who "trust in Him" are not made dead but are made alive, transformed by His Spirit into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). He is the true object of faith, the one in whom all our hope and security can be placed without fear of spiritual barrenness. Unlike idols that cannot save, Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering not just spiritual vitality but eternal life to all who believe. Thus, the warning of Psalms 135:18 ultimately points to the profound necessity of turning from all forms of idolatry to place our complete trust in the living and life-giving Lord, Jesus Christ, who alone can truly hear, see, and save.