Mazmur 115:4-11

115:4 Their ¹  idols are made of silver and gold –

they are man-made. ² 

115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see,

115:6 ears, but cannot hear,

noses, but cannot smell,

115:7 hands, but cannot touch,

feet, but cannot walk.

They cannot even clear their throats. ³ 

115:8 Those who make them will end up ⁴  like them,

as will everyone who trusts in them.

115:9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer ⁵  and protector. ⁶ 

115:10 O family ⁷  of Aaron, trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer ⁸  and protector. ⁹ 

115:11 You loyal followers of the Lord, ¹⁰  trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer ¹¹  and protector. ¹² 

[115:4]  ¹ tn The referent of the pronominal suffix is “the nations” (v. 2).

[115:4]  ² tn Heb “the work of the hands of man.”

[115:7]  ³ tn Heb “they cannot mutter in their throats.” Verse 5a refers to speaking, v. 7c to inarticulate sounds made in the throat (see M. Dahood, Psalms [AB], 3:140-41).

[115:8]  ⁴ tn Heb “will be.” Another option is to take the prefixed verbal form as a prayer, “may those who make them end up like them.”

[115:8]  sn Because the idols are lifeless, they cannot help their worshipers in times of crisis. Consequently the worshipers end up as dead as the gods in which they trust.

[115:9]  ⁵ tn Or “[source of] help.”

[115:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “and their shield.”

[115:10]  ⁷ tn Heb “house.”

[115:10]  ⁸ tn Or “[source of] help.”

[115:10]  ⁹ tn Heb “and their shield.”

[115:11]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “[you] fearers of the Lord.” See Ps 15:4.

[115:11]  ¹¹ tn Or “[source of] help.”

[115:11]  ¹² tn Heb “and their shield.”