O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Read it in contextPsalm of Trust in the True God
Start reading at Psalms 115:1 (Psalms 115:1 to Psalms 115:18).
The entire Psalm 115 forms a complete literary unit, contrasting the true God with idols and calling His people to trust Him.
115:1Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
115:2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
115:3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
115:4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
115:5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
115:6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
115:7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
115:8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
115:9O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:11Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
115:13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
115:14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
115:15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
115:16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
115:17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
115:18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 115:1–115:18): The worshippers address the LORD and exhort Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Him to trust Him. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is an exhortation to trust in the LORD, who is the true God and the source of help and protection, in contrast to lifeless idols made by human hands.
What is God revealing? God is revealing Himself as the sovereign, living God who acts according to His will, unlike the impotent idols of the heathen. He reveals His faithfulness as the 'help and their shield' for those who trust in Him.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a psalm of communal praise and exhortation, contrasting the true God with false gods.
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected over a period from approximately 1400 to 450 B.C. The specific date for Psalm 115 is not known.
When does the event take place? The passage is an exhortation to trust and a declaration of God's nature, not a narrative of a specific historical event. It speaks to an ongoing truth and relationship.
Where
Where did it happen? The passage is a call to trust and worship, not a historical event with a specific geographical location.
Where was the author located? The book of Psalms was written in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm of Trust in the True God (Psalms 115:1 to Psalms 115:18).
Start reading at Psalms 115:1. The entire Psalm 115 forms a complete literary unit, contrasting the true God with idols and calling His people to trust Him.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 115 is part of the larger collection of Psalms, which often feature themes of praise, trust in God, and contrasts between God's power and human weakness or idolatry. This psalm specifically calls God's people to trust Him in the face of pagan idolatry, a recurring theme in Israel's history and worship. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The LORD, as the 'help and their shield' for Israel, foreshadows Jesus Christ. Christ is God incarnate, the ultimate helper, protector, and deliverer for His people. Trusting in the LORD finds its ultimate fulfillment in trusting in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's mercy, truth, and power to save. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to place their complete trust in the living God, rejecting any 'idols' (anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives, such as wealth, power, or self-reliance). We are to rely on Him as our ultimate help and protection in all circumstances, knowing that He is the only true God who hears, sees, and acts. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 115
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.