Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals a profound truth: whatever we choose to "make" or "trust" in becomes the architect of our own character. When we invest our faith in lifeless idols, whether literal or figurative like wealth, status, or self-reliance, we begin to absorb their lifelessness, becoming just as foolish and senseless as the things we worship.
Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm begins by giving all glory to God, not to humanity, for His mercy and truth. It then contrasts the living God with lifeless idols made by human hands, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act. This verse drives home the foolishness of trusting in these powerless objects, stating that both the idol makers and those who rely on them become just as senseless and void of true understanding.
Ever notice how the things you admire most can start to shape you? The Bible speaks powerfully about this, especially when it comes to who—or what—we trust.
This verse hits us with a profound truth: we tend to become like the things we trust in. The psalmists are talking about idols here—statues made of gold, silver, or stone. But the principle is incredibly relevant.
A Two-Way Street
Notice the verse says, 'Those who make them become like them; so is everyone that trusteth in them.' It's a mirrored reflection. The people who craft these lifeless gods absorb the very qualities of their creations: senselessness, powerlessness, and a complete lack of real wisdom or ability to help.
Transformed by Trust
It’s not just the makers, though. Anyone who places their confidence in these idols is drawn down to that same level. Their eyes might see, but they don't truly perceive. Their ears might hear, but they don't comprehend. They put their hope in something that is ultimately empty, and in doing so, they become empty too.
This isn't just ancient history. Think about what or who you look to when life gets tough, when you need guidance, or when you crave security. Is it money? Status? People? Yourself? Whatever it is, you’re likely to start taking on its characteristics.
Why would anyone trust something they know is fake? This verse exposes a deep-seated human tendency towards self-deception.
The psalmists are calling out the sheer absurdity of worshipping idols. These are objects made by human hands, crafted from inanimate materials. They have no breath, no will, no power.
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The Illusion of Power
Yet, people make them, and then they trust them. It’s a cycle of foolishness. The idols can neither see nor act nor save. They are utterly dependent on their creators. And strangely, the creators often become dependent on their creations.
A Devastating Exchange
The core problem is a rejection of the true, living God. Instead of honoring Him and acknowledging His power, people bow down to things they’ve made. This isn’t just a mistake; it's a spiritual exchange that leaves people vulnerable and ultimately doomed because their protectors are powerless. Trusting in them means trusting in nothingness, and that inevitably leads to a devastating spiritual and practical emptiness.
Understand the original words
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 was likely written during or after the Babylonian exile, when the stark contrast between the powerless idols of the nations and the living God became painfully clear to the Israelites. The verse powerfully highlights that trusting in lifeless idols inevitably leads to a spiritual and moral lifelessness, mirroring the helplessness of the objects of their devotion.
c. 10th century BC
Rise of Idolatry in Israel
Following the division of the united monarchy, various forms of idolatry, influenced by surrounding Canaanite and other cultures, began to take root in the northern kingdom of Israel and even seep into Judah.
8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Influence and Deportations
The growing Assyrian Empire exerted significant military and political pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This era saw increasing Assyrian influence, religious syncretism, and eventual deportations of Israelites.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian king Sargon II conquered Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its population and the effective end of the kingdom.
c. 7th century BC
Prophetic Warnings Against Idolatry
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah vociferously condemned the rampant idolatry and reliance on foreign alliances, warning that these practices would lead to judgment.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, exiling a significant portion of the Judean population. This event marks a profound crisis for the people of God.
c. 540 BC
The Exile Continues
During the Babylonian exile, the people of Judah grappled with their national and religious identity, reflecting on the causes of their downfall and the failure of their idols to deliver them.
This passage echoes the Psalm's sentiment by describing the makers of idols as foolish and senseless, just as the Psalm says those who trust in them become like them.
Jeremiah 2:5Jeremiah highlights the futility of idols and how their worshippers become foolish and empty, directly illustrating the consequence of trusting in something that is nothing.
Romans 1:22-23Paul describes people who exchange the truth of God for a lie, worship created things, and become foolish in their thinking, mirroring the spiritual stupor that comes from trusting in man-made gods.
Galatians 5:6This verse speaks about faith working through love, contrasting with the empty 'faith' in idols described in Psalms; it shows that true spiritual vitality comes from trust in the living God, not lifeless objects.
ellicottPsalms 115:8: "They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them."
(8) Every one that trusteth . . . — “Who moulds in gold or stone a sacred face Makes not the god; but he who asks his grace.”
wesleyPsalms 115:8: "They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them."
115:8 Are like them - As void of all sense or reason as their images.
This verse reveals a profound truth: whatever we choose to "make" or "trust" in becomes the architect of our own character. When we invest our faith in lifeless idols, whether literal or figurative like wealth, status, or self-reliance, we begin to absorb their lifelessness, becoming just as foolish and senseless as the things we worship.
The psalm begins by giving all glory to God, not to humanity, for His mercy and truth. It then contrasts the living God with lifeless idols made by human hands, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act. This verse drives home the foolishness of trusting in these powerless objects, stating that both the idol makers and those who rely on them become just as senseless and void of true understanding.
The psalm begins by giving all glory to God, not to humanity, for His mercy and truth. It then contrasts the living God with lifeless idols made by human hands, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act. This verse drives home the foolishness of trusting in these powerless objects, stating that both the idol makers and those who rely on them become just as senseless and void of true understanding.
"Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them." — This verse reveals a profound truth: whatever we choose to "make" or "trust" in becomes the architect of our own character. When we invest our faith in lifeless idols, whether literal or figurative l…
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Last reviewed October 2026