Psalm 135 15

Psalm 135:15 kjv

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psalm 135:15 nkjv

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

Psalm 135:15 niv

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.

Psalm 135:15 esv

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

Psalm 135:15 nlt

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 15 Meaning

Psalm 135:15 declares that the idols worshipped by the nations are mere material creations of human design and labor. They are fashioned from valuable metals like silver and gold, yet possess no inherent power, life, or divine essence. The verse sharply distinguishes the inert nature of these man-made images from the living, sovereign God of Israel.

Psalm 135 15 Context

Psalm 135 is a hymn of praise and adoration to the God of Israel, acknowledging His supremacy, power, and faithfulness. It begins by calling the servants of the Lord to praise His name. Verses 5-14 recount the mighty acts of God in history – creation, control over natural elements, deliverance of Israel from Egypt, victory over kings, and granting the land of Canaan. Verse 15 specifically transitions into a stark contrast, directly challenging the false deities of the surrounding nations (goyim). This polemic against idolatry serves to emphasize the uniqueness and absolute sovereignty of Yahweh in comparison to the dead, impotent gods crafted by human hands, as detailed further in verses 16-18. The Psalm culminates in another call for all Israel to bless the Lord. Historically, ancient Near Eastern societies were polytheistic, with diverse cultic practices revolving around various deities represented by physical images. This verse, along with others in Scripture, directly refutes the claims of power or existence of such idols, presenting a clear theological polemic against the prevailing pagan worldview by asserting Yahweh's sole authority and vitality.

Psalm 135 15 Word analysis

• The idols (הָאֱלִילִים - ha’ĕlīlîm): This Hebrew term אֱלִילִים (ʾelilîm) frequently carries a sense of "worthless things," "vanities," "nothings," or "powerless beings." It denotes objects of worship that are utterly without divine substance, power, or value, strongly contrasting with the true and living God. The use of the plural implies the multitude of such false gods across various nations.
• of the nations (הַגּוֹיִם - hagōyim): גּוֹיִם (goyim) refers to the non-Israelite peoples, the Gentiles. This highlights that the worship described is external to the true covenant people and serves to set Israel apart with their singular worship of the One God. It emphasizes the contrast between Israel's worship and the pagan practices of surrounding cultures.
• are silver (כֶּסֶף - keseph): כֶּסֶף (keseph) means "silver," a valuable metal in the ancient world. The emphasis is on the material, which holds intrinsic economic worth but conveys no spiritual or divine essence to the idol it forms.
• and gold (וְזָהָב - wəzāhāv): זָהָב (zāhāv) means "gold," an even more precious metal. This highlights the human tendency to devote considerable resources and valuable materials to the creation of these objects, underscoring the irony and futility of using wealth to fashion impotent deities.
• the work (מַעֲשֵׂה - maʿaśēh): מַעֲשֵׂה (maʿaśēh) refers to a "work," "deed," or "product." It explicitly states that the idols are made things, objects produced through a process, not intrinsic deities. This stands in stark contrast to God, who is uncreated and the ultimate Creator.
• of human hands (יְדֵי אָדָם - yəḏê ʾāḏām): יָדוּ (yād) is "hand" (in construct state here, יְדֵי), and אָדָם (ʾāḏām) is "human being" or "man." This phrase is crucial as it unequivocally declares the idols' origin as completely human-manufactured. They owe their existence, form, and even their presence to the craft and effort of people. This emphasizes their derivative and dependent nature, incapable of existing or acting on their own, and therefore wholly unworthy of worship.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The idols of the nations": This phrase sets up the clear theological distinction between Yahweh, the God of Israel, and the numerous false gods worshipped by all other peoples. It defines the "other" against which Yahweh's nature is revealed.
• "silver and gold": These words, signifying precious materials, highlight the paradox and misdirection of human value. Though economically valuable, the finished idol fashioned from them holds no spiritual worth. The emphasis is on their inert material composition.
• "the work of human hands": This foundational statement dismantles the very premise of idolatry. By emphasizing their human origin, the psalm strips away any pretense of divinity, intrinsic power, or autonomous existence from these objects. It serves as a strong, recurring polemic throughout Scripture, foundational to understanding the emptiness of idolatry.

Psalm 135 15 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on idols being "the work of human hands" throughout Scripture (e.g., Ps 115:4, Isa 2:8, Hos 13:2) reveals a fundamental biblical argument: that which is created by man cannot be god. This theme is essential for understanding biblical theology concerning creation and Creator. The use of precious metals like "silver and gold" not only speaks to the materials themselves but can also reflect the perceived wealth and grandeur of the nations who worshipped these idols. This could imply a subtle challenge to worldly glory being futile when compared to the simple, unadorned truth of God's sovereign power. This verse lays the groundwork for later prophetic criticisms of idol worship that portray it not just as mistaken but as inherently futile and a source of shame to its practitioners (e.g., Isa 45:20, Jer 2:27-28).

Psalm 135 15 Commentary

Psalm 135:15 is a concise yet powerful polemic against idolatry, setting the stage for a more detailed denunciation in the subsequent verses (16-18). It serves as a crucial point of contrast within a psalm primarily dedicated to glorifying Yahweh. The core message is the utter worthlessness and impotence of idols in stark contrast to the living, active God of Israel. By labeling them "the work of human hands" fashioned from "silver and gold," the verse meticulously dissects the absurdity of worshipping something that is both created by man and made from mere material substance. This emphasis undermines any notion that these idols possess life, power, or awareness.

The theological significance is profound: it is a rejection of syncretism and a powerful assertion of monotheism. The precious materials used in idol construction—silver and gold—only serve to highlight the waste and misdirection of human effort and valuable resources toward futile objects. It points to a deep spiritual blindness: humanity attempting to create deity in its own image or out of its own resources, rather than seeking and serving the uncreated, transcendent Creator. This verse acts as a call for pure, exclusive worship of the one true God, freeing His people from the spiritual futility and bondage of bowing down to the works of men. It implicitly reminds believers that anything made or conceptualized by humanity that replaces or stands alongside God in worship is ultimately a powerless "idol," incapable of truly delivering or redeeming.