Psalms 115:1-2
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The repetition of "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" highlights a profound humility: the desire isn't for personal glory or recognition, but for God's name itself to be honored, vindicating His character of steadfast love and faithfulness before the world. This isn't just a prayer for deliverance, but a plea for God's reputation to be upheld through His actions.
The psalmist is crying out to God in a time of distress, likely facing enemies who mock God and His people. This isn't a victory celebration, but a desperate plea for deliverance, where the main concern isn't personal glory but God's own honor. The argument is that God should act not because the people deserve it, but for the sake of His own reputation, His covenant love, and His unfailing faithfulness.
Have you ever felt like you deserved credit for something good that happened? This verse throws that idea out the window.
The heart of this psalm begins with a powerful declaration: 'Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory.' This isn't just humble talk; it's a profound statement about where all true honor and praise belong. The repetition of 'not to us' emphasizes that the people recognized their own unworthiness and the fact that any good they received was entirely from God's hand.
Shifting the Focus
Why does God's glory matter so much? This verse gives us two key reasons rooted in His character.
The psalm continues, 'for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!' This explains why the psalmist is praying for deliverance and why God's glory should be the ultimate goal.
The Twin Pillars of God's Character
Understand the original words
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
This psalm likely arose during a time of intense national crisis, possibly the Assyrian invasion of Judah under Sennacherib. The taunts of the enemy would have created a desperate situation where God's people had to choose between trusting their own strength and giving all glory to God for His mercy and faithfulness. The focus isn't on Israel's merit, but on God's character and reputation.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event caused immense fear and uncertainty among the people of Judah.
c. 701 BC
Theological Crisis and Taunts
As Jerusalem is threatened, the Assyrian army taunts the Judeans, questioning the power and presence of their God. This challenged the very core of their faith and identity.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Deliverance
A miraculous deliverance occurs, often attributed to an angel of the Lord striking down the Assyrian army, saving Jerusalem from destruction.
Post-Exilic Period
Temple Reconstruction and Worship
After the Babylonian exile, the returned exiles focused on rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing worship. Psalms like this were likely used in the context of communal prayer and worship.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Psalm 115:1, stating that God withholds His anger and refrains from destroying His people 'for His own sake, and for His name's sake,' highlighting that divine action is rooted in God's character rather than human merit.
Ezekiel 20:9Similar to Psalm 115:1, this verse in Ezekiel emphasizes God's deliverance of His people not for their sake, but for the sake of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations. This underscores the motivation of God's actions being His own glory.
Daniel 9:18-19In Daniel's prayer, he pleads for Jerusalem's restoration 'not because of your own righteousness, but because of your great mercy' and for the Lord's own sake, mirroring the psalmist's plea in Psalm 115:1 to give glory to God's name, not to themselves.
John 17:1Jesus' prayer in John 17, asking the Father to 'glorify your Son,' sets a precedent for seeking God's glory above all else. This aligns with the core message of Psalm 115:1, where the ultimate desire is God's name to be glorified.
1 Corinthians 10:31This New Testament verse provides a practical application for believers, stating 'whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.' It broadens the principle of Psalm 115:1, urging believers to live their entire lives with the intention of honoring God's name.
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 repetition of "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" highlights a profound humility: the desire isn't for personal glory or recognition, but for God's name itself to be honored, vindicating His character of steadfast love and faithfulness before the world. This isn't just a prayer for deliverance, but a plea for God's reputation to be upheld through His actions.
The psalmist is crying out to God in a time of distress, likely facing enemies who mock God and His people. This isn't a victory celebration, but a desperate plea for deliverance, where the main concern isn't personal glory but God's own honor. The argument is that God should act not because the people deserve it, but for the sake of His own reputation, His covenant love, and His unfailing faithfulness.
The psalmist is crying out to God in a time of distress, likely facing enemies who mock God and His people. This isn't a victory celebration, but a desperate plea for deliverance, where the main concern isn't personal glory but God's own honor. The argument is that God should act not because the people deserve it, but for the sake of His own reputation, His covenant love, and His unfailing faithfulness.
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The Intertwined Glory
When God acts on behalf of His people, He isn't just solving a problem; He is demonstrating His essential nature. If God were to abandon His people, it would call into question His steadfast love and His faithfulness. Therefore, when God delivers, He vindicates His own character and brings glory to His name, proving that His promises are true and His love is real.
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.
goy · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, this refers to all peoples or ethnic groups outside of the covenant people of Israel, often used to contrast the worship of the one true God with pagan practices.
elohim · Hebrew Noun
A general term for deity, used in the Bible to describe both the one true God and false gods, emphasizing divine power, authority, and the object of worship.
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”" — The repetition of "Not to us, O LORD, not to us" highlights a profound humility: the desire isn't for personal glory or recognition, but for God's name itself to be honored, vindicating His character…
