Psalms 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Psalmist isn't just describing what idols are made of – silver and gold – but highlighting their ultimate origin. It’s a subtle but crucial point: they are "the work of human hands," meaning their very existence and form depend entirely on people, not the other way around.
This section contrasts the powerless idols of other nations with the true God. Verses 15-18, drawn from Psalm 115, describe these idols as lifeless objects made by humans, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act, and emphasizing that those who trust them become like them. This serves to underscore God's greatness and power, preparing the way for a call to bless and praise Him in the following verses.
Understand the original words
atsabim · Hebrew Noun
An image or object of worship that is not God; Scripture consistently portrays these as powerless, lifeless, and empty creations of human craft.
peh · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word *peh* refers to the organ of speech, but in a theological context, it often relates to the capacity for communication, testimony, and the expression of praise toward God. In the context of idols, it underscores the lifelessness and inability of false gods to engage with reality.
‘ayin · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew *‘ayin* denotes the organ of sight, serving metaphorically as a window to the soul or understanding. In Scripture, the eyes are often associated with knowledge, discernment, and the ability to perceive God’s glory and activity.
’ozen · Hebrew Noun
This verse, drawing from older traditions like Psalm 115, was likely sung during or after periods of exile. It powerfully contrasts the impotence of man-made idols with the sovereignty of the living God, reinforcing faith during times of national crisis and foreign oppression.
c. 1400 BC - 800 BC
Rise of Idolatry in Neighboring Nations
During the period when the Psalms were being compiled, surrounding nations like Egypt, Canaan, and Mesopotamia had long-established pantheons and practiced idol worship, often using precious metals for their deities. This created a constant cultural and religious pressure on Israel.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Monarchy and Temple Construction
King David and later Solomon established a centralized worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, with the Ark of the Covenant and later the Temple. This period intensified the contrast between the true God and the surrounding idol worship.
c. 760 BC
Assyrian Empire's Influence and Idolatry
The Assyrian Empire exerted significant political and cultural influence, actively promoting its own pantheon and idol worship across its territories. This created a backdrop of imposing foreign deities against which Israel's faith was tested.
c. 740 BC
Prophetic Warnings Against Idolatry
This passage offers a scathing, detailed account of idol making, mirroring Psalm 135:15 by highlighting the futility and foolishness of worshipping objects made by human hands from precious materials.
Jeremiah 10:3-5Similar to Psalm 135:15, Jeremiah vividly describes idols as crafted from wood, adorned with silver and gold, and emphasizes that they are powerless, serving as a strong parallel to the 'work of human hands' that cannot speak, see, or hear.
Acts 17:29Paul confronts the Athenians with a similar idea, stating that the divine nature cannot be likened to gold, silver, or stone, images crafted by human skill and imagination, directly echoing the sentiment in Psalm 135:15.
Psalm 115:4-8This passage is nearly identical to Psalm 135:15-18, directly contrasting the lifeless, man-made idols of nations with the living, sovereign God of Israel, reinforcing the central theme of idol's powerlessness.
cambridgePsalms 135:15: "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."
15–18 . Taken with some alterations from Psalm 115:4-8 . The nonentity of the heathen gods is contrasted with the sovereignty of Jehovah.
pulpitPsalms 135:15: "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."
Verses 15-18. - The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not. They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. A condensed recitation of Psalm 115:4-8 (comp. Jeremiah 10:3-5). In its present place it is a…
The Psalmist isn't just describing what idols are made of – silver and gold – but highlighting their ultimate origin. It’s a subtle but crucial point: they are "the work of human hands," meaning their very existence and form depend entirely on people, not the other way around.
This section contrasts the powerless idols of other nations with the true God. Verses 15-18, drawn from Psalm 115, describe these idols as lifeless objects made by humans, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act, and emphasizing that those who trust them become like them. This serves to underscore God's greatness and power, preparing the way for a call to bless and praise Him in the following verses.
This section contrasts the powerless idols of other nations with the true God. Verses 15-18, drawn from Psalm 115, describe these idols as lifeless objects made by humans, highlighting their inability to see, hear, or act, and emphasizing that those who trust them become like them. This serves to underscore God's greatness and power, preparing the way for a call to bless and praise Him in the following verses.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 135:15-18 is available in the Sola app.
The Hebrew *’ozen* signifies the organ of hearing. Theologically, hearing is synonymous with obedience and responsiveness; to have ears in the biblical sense is to be capable of receiving and acting upon the word of God.
ruach · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew *ruach* carries various meanings, including wind, breath, and the Spirit of God. Here, it refers to the breath of life—the animating, vital force that distinguishes a living creature created by God from a man-made idol.
batach · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew *batach* involves placing one’s entire confidence, security, and reliance upon someone or something. Trust is a central act of worship when directed toward God, as it acknowledges His sovereignty and faithfulness as the only reliable object of faith.
Prophets like Isaiah and Micah delivered strong condemnations against the worship of idols, highlighting their uselessness and the foolishness of trusting in them. These warnings were directed at both the surrounding nations and, at times, Israel itself.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel and the deportation of its people underscored the consequences of straying from the worship of Yahweh. This event served as a stark reminder of the fragility of nations that embraced foreign gods.
c. 605 BC - 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian exile, beginning with the deportation of Judeans in 605 BC and culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, was a devastating period. It reinforced the Psalmist's message that idols were powerless to protect their worshippers or their cities.
Post-Exilic Period— this verse
Return and Rebuilding of the Temple
After the exile, the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple. This period saw a renewed emphasis on the purity of worship and a strong aversion to the idolatry that had plagued their ancestors, making verses like Psalms 135:15 highly relevant.
"The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Th…" — The Psalmist isn't just describing what idols are made of – silver and gold – but highlighting their ultimate origin. It’s a subtle but crucial point: they are "the work of human hands," meaning th…
