The "now" in "Where is their God now?" isn't just about time, but a plea or an emphasis, like saying "Where is your God, really?" It highlights the urgency and the potential for God's glory to be questioned when His people are suffering.
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a bold declaration that all glory belongs to God, not to His people, especially in times of distress. The psalmist then anticipates the taunts of surrounding nations who would mock Israel's God if He didn't intervene to save them from their current suffering. This question highlights the deep shame and potential blasphemy that would arise if God's people, in their weakened state, appear abandoned by Him.
Ever felt like the world is watching, waiting for you to falter? This verse grapples with that exact feeling, but flips it into a powerful plea for God's honor.
The question "Where is their God?" isn't just a taunt from enemies; it's a raw cry from God's people when they feel abandoned.
A Public Witness
When God's people are in deep trouble, it can look like their God isn't there, isn't able, or doesn't care. This is precisely what the surrounding nations (the "heathen") would say to mock Israel. It becomes a question not just about Israel's safety, but about God's reputation.
Shifting the Focus
The psalm's immediate response, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory" (v. 1), shows us the right perspective. Even in our darkest moments, our deepest desire should be for God's name to be honored, not for our own comfort or vindication. Our struggles can become a stage for God's faithfulness to be displayed.
When things seem out of control, where do you look? This verse points to a sovereign reality that silences all doubt.
The taunt "Where is their God?" assumes God is limited, perhaps weak or absent. But the psalmist immediately counters this with a profound declaration of God's nature.
God's Unrivaled Sovereignty
Verse 3 asserts, "Surely our God is in heaven." This isn't just about location; it's about absolute authority. God is not confined by circumstances, human limitations, or the opinions of the nations. He reigns from the highest possible place, where nothing can thwart His will.
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Doing as He Pleases
The second part of the verse, "He hath done whatsoever he pleased," emphasizes His complete freedom and power. Nothing happens by accident or outside of His control. Even when His people suffer and His enemies mock, God is still sovereignly working out His purposes. This truth should bring immense comfort and encourage bold faith.
Understand the original words
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.
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting the dwelling place of God, signifying His transcendence, sovereignty, and rule over all creation from above the earthly realm.
atsab · Hebrew Noun
A physical image or representation of a deity, which the Bible condemns as a futile and sinful replacement for the living, transcendent God. Idols are portrayed as powerless because they are created by human effort.
ʾōzen · Hebrew Noun
An outward sense organ used metaphorically in Scripture to signify the capacity for understanding and obedience to divine instruction. To 'have ears but not hear' is a characteristic of spiritual deadness or idolatry.
ʾap̄ · Hebrew Noun
The organ of smell, often associated in the Old Testament with the nostrils of God, signifying His acceptance of an offering (e.g., 'a soothing aroma'). Conversely, idols have noses but lack the life-force to perceive or breathe.
yād · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manual capacity to work, act, or manipulate. In the context of idolatry, it highlights the impotence of man-made objects that cannot exert influence or perform deeds.
reḡel · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the capacity for locomotion. It signifies the ability to travel, act with purpose, or stand firmly. Idols are portrayed as stationary and powerless, incapable of movement or progress.
bāṭaḥ · Hebrew Verb
A profound concept of reliance, confidence, and refuge in God. It goes beyond intellectual belief to encompass a relational commitment where one hinges their security, life, and future entirely on the object of that trust.
This psalm likely arose during a time of intense national crisis, such as the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The enemies of God's people mocked them, asking where their God was, implying he was either unable or unwilling to help. The psalm is a powerful response, asserting God's sovereignty and challenging such doubts by highlighting His glory.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. The Assyrians mock Hezekiah and the people of Judah, questioning the power of their God to save them.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonians conquer Judah, deporting some of the royal family and elite to Babylon. This marked the beginning of Judah's decline towards exile.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This was a catastrophic event, leading many to question God's presence and power.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, opening the way for the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
The returned exiles, facing significant hardship and opposition, complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This marked a restoration of worship but also ongoing challenges.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 115:2, asking why the nations should mock and inquire about God's presence and power when His people are suffering.
Ezekiel 36:20-23God explains that He brings His people back from exile not for their sake, but for the sake of His own holy name, which had been profaned among the nations through Israel's sin and subsequent scattering.
Isaiah 48:9-11Here, God declares that He refrains from complete destruction for His own name's sake, proving that His glory is a primary motivation, directly addressing the concern of His name being dishonored among the nations.
Matthew 6:9In the Lord's Prayer, the very first petition is 'Hallowed be your name,' demonstrating that the sanctity and honor of God's name are paramount, even above our immediate needs.
Romans 2:24The Apostle Paul quotes from the Old Testament (like Jeremiah 3:7) to show that the unfaithfulness of God's people leads to His name being blasphemed among the Gentiles, highlighting the serious consequence the Psalmist addresses.
clarkePsalms 115:2: "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?"
Wherefore should the heathen say - This appears to refer to a time in which the Israelites had suffered some sad reverses, so as to be brought very low, and to be marked by the heathen.
poolePsalms 115:2: "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?"
Wherefore should the heathen say? why dost thou suffer them, or give them any colour or occasion, to say or think so, by conniving at their wickedness, and by giving thy people into their hands? Where is now their God? he is no where; he is lost, or at a loss, either unable, or unwilling, or not at leisure to save them. Their God; who hath undertaken to be their God and Saviour, and whom they only worship, and of whom the…
The "now" in "Where is their God now?" isn't just about time, but a plea or an emphasis, like saying "Where is your God, really?" It highlights the urgency and the potential for God's glory to be questioned when His people are suffering.
This psalm opens with a bold declaration that all glory belongs to God, not to His people, especially in times of distress. The psalmist then anticipates the taunts of surrounding nations who would mock Israel's God if He didn't intervene to save them from their current suffering. This question highlights the deep shame and potential blasphemy that would arise if God's people, in their weakened state, appear abandoned by Him.
This psalm opens with a bold declaration that all glory belongs to God, not to His people, especially in times of distress. The psalmist then anticipates the taunts of surrounding nations who would mock Israel's God if He didn't intervene to save them from their current suffering. This question highlights the deep shame and potential blasphemy that would arise if God's people, in their weakened state, appear abandoned by Him.
"Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, b…" — The "now" in "Where is their God now?" isn't just about time, but a plea or an emphasis, like saying "Where is your God, really?" It highlights the urgency and the potential for God's glory to be…
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Last reviewed October 2026
