Psalm 115 1

Psalm 115:1 kjv

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

Psalm 115:1 nkjv

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.

Psalm 115:1 niv

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1 esv

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 115:1 nlt

Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115 verses

Psalm 115 1 Meaning

Psalm 115:1 is a profound declaration of radical humility and unwavering devotion, directing all praise and honor not towards humanity or human achievement, but solely to the Creator. It expresses the core conviction that any manifestation of power, rescue, or glory is solely attributable to God's divine character, particularly His steadfast love and truth, thereby nullifying human pride and emphasizing His unique sovereignty. It is a prayer and an theological assertion that His Name—representing His very being, character, and redemptive acts—is the only rightful recipient of honor.

Psalm 115 1 Context

Psalm 115 belongs to a group of Psalms (113-118) known as the Egyptian Hallel, often recited during Passover and other major Jewish festivals. This psalm itself appears to be a communal psalm, likely a liturgical piece used in public worship, possibly following a national crisis or in the face of mockery from surrounding nations. The preceding Psalm 114 celebrates the exodus, leading into Psalm 115 which grounds the nation's faith in God alone amidst taunts questioning His existence or power (vv. 2-3). The psalmist, on behalf of the people, explicitly contrasts the true, living God of Israel with the lifeless, man-made idols of other nations (vv. 4-8), then urges Israel, its priests, and those who fear the Lord to trust solely in Him (vv. 9-11). Therefore, verse 1 establishes the theological foundation for the psalm's ensuing affirmation of God's power and its stark polemic against idolatry. It sets the tone of absolute dependence on God's character and actions for any hope or deliverance.

Psalm 115 1 Word analysis

• "Not" (לֹא - lo): An emphatic negative particle, setting a direct and strong opposition. It unequivocally rejects the notion of assigning glory elsewhere. Its prominent position emphasizes the absolute denial of self-exaltation.
• "unto us" (לָנוּ - lanu): The Hebrew preposition "לָ" (la-) meaning "to" or "for," attached to the pronoun "us." This highlights human agents and self-reliance, directly disavowed by the psalmist. It includes the entire community, representing all of humanity and their endeavors.
• "O LORD" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, self-existent, and unchangeable nature (Exod 3:14-15). The use of YHWH underscores the relationship between God and His people, and signifies the faithful, acting God, distinguishing Him from any created deity.
• "Not unto us": This exact repetition of the initial phrase creates a powerful rhetorical device known as an anaphora or parallel repetition. Its forceful restatement deeply underscores the profound conviction that human beings are incapable and unworthy of receiving divine glory. This double negation strengthens the message against human pride and self-worship.
• "but unto Your name" (כִּי לְשִׁמְךָ - ki leshimkha): "But" (ki) introduces the essential alternative and true recipient of glory. "Name" (shem) in Hebrew thought is more than just a label; it represents God's entire being, His revealed character, attributes, reputation, and actions. To glorify God's "name" means to acknowledge and honor His divine essence as it is manifest in His works, particularly His faithfulness and saving acts. This points to His nature as the ultimate source of all goodness and power.
• "give glory" (תֵּן כָּבוֹד - ten kavod): Ten is an imperative verb, "give" or "attribute." Kavod (כָּבוֹד) means glory, honor, weight, substance, renown. It signifies inherent majesty and revealed splendor. The imperative "give" signifies a deliberate act of attribution, a humble bowing down before God. It's not just a feeling, but an active declaration of God's worth.
• "for Your steadfast love" (עַל חַסְדְּךָ - al chasdekha): Al (עַל) indicates "because of" or "on account of." Chesed (חֶסֶד) is a cornerstone theological term in the Old Testament, denoting God's covenant loyalty, enduring mercy, faithful love, and kindness. It describes God's active, faithful, and persistent loving commitment, especially to His covenant people. It is the primary motivation for Him to act on behalf of Israel.
• "for Your truth" (וְעַל אֲמִתֶּךָ - ve'al amitotekha): Ve'al (ve-al) means "and because of." Emet (אֱמֶת) signifies truth, faithfulness, reliability, stability. It speaks of God's unswerving adherence to His promises, His consistent character, and the trustworthiness of His word and actions. His truth ensures His promises of steadfast love will never fail. These two attributes (chesed and emet) form the bedrock of God's character and His redemptive plan.

Psalm 115 1 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 115:1 displays a remarkable chiastic (A-B-B'-A') or anaphoric (A-A'-B) literary device with the repeated phrase "Not unto us," amplifying the central theme of radical dependence and the exclusive claim of God's glory. This intense literary crafting makes the statement undeniably firm and memorable for its liturgical purpose. In ancient Israelite worship, this would have served as a collective vow, a public creed demonstrating allegiance solely to YHWH, especially pertinent in contexts where surrounding nations often glorified their idols or even their kings. It serves as a profound theological boundary marker, drawing a clear line between the God of Israel and any other entity claiming divine honor, fostering pure devotion and eliminating spiritual compromise within the community.

Psalm 115 1 Commentary

Psalm 115:1 opens with a powerful liturgical confession that diverts all glory away from humanity and channels it solely to the Lord, affirming His incomparable sovereignty. The repeated "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us" is an emphatic disavowal of self-aggrandizement, a corporate act of humility acknowledging the inherent unworthiness of human beings to receive divine honor. This declaration stands in stark contrast to pagan worldview which often elevates human rulers or semi-divine figures, or to the natural human inclination towards pride.

Instead, the psalmist directs glory "unto Your name," underscoring that it is God's intrinsic character, reputation, and divine essence—made known through His redemptive acts—that truly merit praise. The rationale for this unparalleled attribution of glory rests upon two foundational divine attributes: God's "steadfast love" (chesed) and His "truth" (emet). His chesed is His enduring, covenantal faithfulness and mercy, always available to His people, especially in times of need. His emet is His unwavering reliability and consistency, ensuring that His promises are steadfast and His character is immutable. These attributes assure the psalmist and the community that any deliverance or blessing experienced is solely a result of God's inherent goodness and faithfulness, not human merit or power. This verse thus functions as both a profound act of worship and a theological statement rejecting idolatry and humanism, firmly grounding hope and identity in the transcendent God of Israel alone.