Psalm 135 17

Psalm 135:17 kjv

They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Psalm 135:17 nkjv

They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Psalm 135:17 niv

They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.

Psalm 135:17 esv

they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Psalm 135:17 nlt

They have ears but cannot hear,
and mouths but cannot breathe.

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 17 Meaning

Psalm 135:17 powerfully describes the utter lifelessness and impotence of idols fashioned by human hands. Though they are given features resembling human sensory organs—ears and mouths—they are entirely devoid of life. They cannot truly hear, nor do they possess any breath (the vital principle of life), thus rendering them incapable of any function or interaction, standing in stark contrast to the living, active God of Israel.

Psalm 135 17 Context

Psalm 135 is a psalm of communal praise, possibly recited during temple services, designed to call the congregation to worship Yahweh, the incomparable God. The psalm first recounts Yahweh's selection of Israel and His historical acts of salvation (vv. 1-14). Following this affirmation of God's power and sovereignty, verses 15-18 launch into a direct and emphatic polemic against the idols of the nations. This section starkly contrasts the living, active God with man-made deities. Historically, ancient Israel was constantly surrounded by pagan cultures that practiced idolatry, believing their images embodied or could house their deities, influencing the physical world. Psalm 135:17, echoing themes from Psalm 115, serves to undeceive God's people, affirming that these physical objects are lifeless, impotent, and utterly unable to rival the true God. It emphasizes that Israel's God is qualitatively different and supremely powerful compared to any false god.

Psalm 135 17 Word analysis

• They have ears, but they hear not;

  • They: Refers to the "idols of the nations" mentioned in verse 15. This impersonal pronoun highlights their inanimate nature and lack of agency.
  • have ears: Hebrew: ʾoznayim (אֹזְנַיִם). This points to the physical construction of idols with auditory organs, an attempt by idol makers to replicate human senses.
  • but they hear not; Hebrew: loʾ yishmaʿu (לֹא יִשְׁמָעוּ). The emphatic negative particle loʾ preceding the verb shamaʿ (to hear) underscores their complete inability to perceive sound or respond. This directly counters any pagan belief that idols could receive prayers or communicate, distinguishing them sharply from the living God who hears the cries of His people (Ps 65:2).

• neither is there any breath in their mouths.

  • neither is there any breath: Hebrew: weʾēn ruach (וְאֵין רוּחַ).
    • breath: Hebrew: ruach (רוּחַ). A highly significant biblical term denoting spirit, wind, or vital breath. Here, it specifically means the life principle or animation. The absolute absence of ruach signifies utter lifelessness. Idols are fundamentally inert, lacking the divine spark or self-sustaining life found in God's creation and certainly in God Himself.
  • in their mouths. Hebrew: bephīhem (בְּפִיהֶם). Physically, mouths may be carved into idols, but without ruach (breath), they are incapable of speech, life, or any activity, further exposing their profound nothingness. This stands in contrast to God whose breath gives life (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4) and whose mouth speaks with creative power (Ps 33:6).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "They have ears, but they hear not": This phrase underscores the core deception of idolatry: the outward appearance of capability (having ears) with an utter lack of inward function (cannot hear). It’s a polemical statement against pagan beliefs, highlighting that idols are manufactured inert objects, entirely deaf to human cries or worship, unlike the living God who hears and answers.
  • "neither is there any breath in their mouths": This goes to the absolute void of life within idols. "Breath" (ruach) is synonymous with life in biblical thought. Its absence in idols fundamentally negates their being anything more than inanimate material. They cannot live, speak, animate, or provide, revealing their total incapacity to interact with the world or those who worship them. This absence of vital breath also directly challenges any pagan notion of idols being "alive" or infused with divine spirit.

Psalm 135 17 Bonus section

This verse's detailed negation of the idols' senses and life force, following the description of their form (Ps 135:15-16), is a rhetorical device that culminates in Psalm 135:18: "Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them." This warns that worshipping lifeless idols leads to spiritual deadening, reflecting the inanimate nature of what is revered. The term ruach in this verse is highly significant; its absence from idols directly contrasts with the life-giving ruach of God that animates creation (Gen 1:2) and regenerates human beings (Ez 37:10). The very structure of the phrase "ears, but they hear not" employs an antithesis that effectively exposes the futility of constructing and trusting such objects. The emphasis on the physical yet non-functional attributes also implicitly celebrates God's perfect creation, where His "ears" always hear (Ps 94:9) and His "mouth" speaks life (Jn 6:63).

Psalm 135 17 Commentary

Psalm 135:17 serves as a crucial point in the psalm's polemic against idolatry. It strips away any illusion of power or life from man-made gods, exposing them as mere artifacts devoid of sentience or ability. By detailing their physical features—ears and mouths—only to immediately negate their function, the verse highlights the absurdity of worshipping such lifeless entities. The core argument rests on the absence of "breath" (ruach), the biblical understanding of life itself. Unlike God, who is the source of all life and breath (Acts 17:25), idols cannot even sustain their own existence, much less hear prayers, speak blessings, or bring about salvation. This concise, sensory-based refutation underscores God's uniqueness as the only truly living, active, and responsive Deity, reinforcing Israel's exclusive devotion to Him. It draws a clear line between the worship of inert objects and the worship of the God who is profoundly engaged with His creation.

• Practical Usage:
  • Challenges contemporary "idols": Any pursuit or object (e.g., career, wealth, personal pleasure) that receives ultimate devotion, eclipsing God, will ultimately prove unresponsive and unsatisfying, possessing "no breath" to truly fulfill.
  • Promotes authentic worship: Reminds us to direct our prayers and trust only to the living God who truly hears and actively works in the world.
  • Reinforces divine truth: Confirms the singular power and reality of God, deepening faith by contrasting His vital presence with all powerless substitutes.