Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm isn't just about humility; it's a bold plea for God to act for His own reputation. The repeated "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" is a way of saying, "Don't let the nations mock Your name by thinking You've abandoned us." It’s about vindicating His faithfulness and steadfast love because His honor is on the line.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This Psalm begins with a plea for God's intervention, likely during a time of great distress or facing powerful enemies who mock God and His people. The psalmist, speaking for the community, insists that any deliverance must bring glory not to themselves, but to God's name alone, because of His enduring love and faithfulness. This sets the stage for contrasting the true God with idols and calling for trust in Him.
Ever felt like you deserved all the credit for something good? This verse hits hard against that impulse.
The phrase "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" is a powerful declaration. It's more than just humility; it's a deliberate turning away from seeking personal glory. When the people of God faced distress or sought deliverance, their first thought wasn't about their own cleverness or strength. They immediately pushed back against any notion that the victory or the answer would be for their own sake or by their own merit. This isn't just about avoiding arrogance; it's about recognizing the absolute sovereignty of God in all things.
Why is God's glory so important, especially when we're in trouble?
The verse continues, 'but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!' This reveals the reason behind the plea. It's not just about avoiding personal glory; it's about upholding God's reputation. The 'name' of God represents His character, His reputation, and His covenant promises. When God's people are delivered, it's not primarily a testament to their worthiness but a demonstration of His incredible, unwavering love (often translated as 'steadfast love' or 'lovingkindness') and His dependable faithfulness. These attributes are the bedrock of His covenant with His people, and their preservation vindicates these very qualities.
Understand the original words
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YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal and covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name by which God identifies Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God’s character, presence, honor, and supreme importance. Giving glory to God means acknowledging Him as the source of all value and excellence.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'lovingkindness' or 'mercy,' this term describes God’s loyal, covenant-keeping love that is rooted in His character rather than the merit of the recipient.
emunah · Hebrew Noun
The quality of being reliable, true, and firm; it refers to God's unwavering consistency in keeping His promises and acting in accordance with His word.
This psalm likely arose from a time of intense national crisis, possibly the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The plea is not for personal glory, but for God's name to be vindicated before the nations who mocked Israel's God. It highlights the deep connection between God's faithfulness to His covenant and His people's deliverance.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. This campaign put immense pressure on King Hezekiah and the people of Judah.
c. 701 BC
Miraculous Deliverance of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem was struck by a divine plague (or other catastrophic event), leading to the death of 185,000 soldiers. Sennacherib withdrew, and Jerusalem was saved.
Post-exilic period
Reflection on Idolatry and Exile
Later reflections on periods of distress and exile, particularly the Babylonian exile (starting 605 BC), led to a heightened awareness of the contrast between the true God and the useless idols of surrounding nations.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 115:1, stating God withholds His wrath and refrains from cutting off His praise for His own name's sake, highlighting the core idea of God's glory being paramount.
Ezekiel 20:9Similar to Psalm 115:1, this verse explains God's action not for the people's sake but for His own holy name, which the nations had profaned. It reinforces the theme that God's interventions are ultimately about vindicating His reputation.
Daniel 9:19This prayer is a powerful parallel, asking God not to act for their own sake but for the Lord's sake, for the sake of His mercy, and for the sake of His name. It showcases a deep understanding of aligning personal desires with God's glory.
John 17:1In His prayer, Jesus asks the Father to glorify His Son, not for the Son's personal glory, but so that the Son might glorify the Father. This reflects the same self-emptying principle found in Psalm 115:1, where human glory is set aside for God's glory.
1 Corinthians 10:31This verse provides a New Testament application of the principle in Psalm 115:1, commanding believers to do everything for the glory of God. It shows how the ancient desire to give glory to God's name continues to guide Christian life and action.
clarkePsalms 115:1: "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."
Not unto us, O Lord - We take no merit to ourselves; as thine is the kingdom, and the power in that kingdom, so is thy glory. For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake - Thy mercy gave thy promise, thy truth fulfilled it.
poolePsalms 115:1: "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."
THE ARGUMENT The occasion of this Psalm was to manifest some eminent danger or distress of the people of Israel from some idolatrous nations; but whether it was that mentioned 2 Chronicles 20 , or what other, is but matter of conjecture, and not worth our inquiry. The church prayeth to God to keep them, for his glorious name, Psalm 115:1-3 , from the vanity of idol worship, P…
The psalm isn't just about humility; it's a bold plea for God to act for His own reputation. The repeated "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" is a way of saying, "Don't let the nations mock Your name by thinking You've abandoned us." It’s about vindicating His faithfulness and steadfast love because His honor is on the line.
This Psalm begins with a plea for God's intervention, likely during a time of great distress or facing powerful enemies who mock God and His people. The psalmist, speaking for the community, insists that any deliverance must bring glory not to themselves, but to God's name alone, because of His enduring love and faithfulness. This sets the stage for contrasting the true God with idols and calling for trust in Him.
This Psalm begins with a plea for God's intervention, likely during a time of great distress or facing powerful enemies who mock God and His people. The psalmist, speaking for the community, insists that any deliverance must bring glory not to themselves, but to God's name alone, because of His enduring love and faithfulness. This sets the stage for contrasting the true God with idols and calling for trust in Him.
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!" — The psalm isn't just about humility; it's a bold plea for God to act for His own reputation. The repeated "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" is a way of saying, "Don't let the nations mock Your name by…
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Last reviewed October 2026