God’s Saving Word: Praise and Thanksgiving

Introduction

Psalm 115: The psalm writer begins by giving glory to God, followed by an attack on idolatry, and then calling upon the people to trust in the LORD.

Scripture Reading

115 To you alone, O Lord, to you alone,
    and not to us, must glory be given
    because of your constant love and faithfulness.

2 Why should the nations ask us,
    “Where is your God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
    he does whatever he wishes.
4 Their gods are made of silver and gold,
    formed by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    and eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    and noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
    and feet, but cannot walk;
    they cannot make a sound.
8 May all who made them and who trust in them
    become[a] like the idols they have made.

9 Trust in the Lord, you people of Israel.
    He helps you and protects you.
10 Trust in the Lord, you priests of God.
    He helps you and protects you.
11 Trust in the Lord, all you that worship him.
    He helps you and protects you.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us;
    he will bless the people of Israel
    and all the priests of God.
13 He will bless everyone who honors him,
    the great and the small alike.

14 May the Lord give you children—
    you and your descendants!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

16 Heaven belongs to the Lord alone,
    but he gave the earth to us humans.
17 The Lord is not praised by the dead,
    by any who go down to the land of silence.[b]
18 But we, the living, will give thanks to him
    now and forever.

Praise the Lord!

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 115:11

Trust in the LORD, all you that worship him. He helps you and protects you.

Reflect

Psalm 115 is written as a liturgical prayer. Three times in verses 9-11 there is an exhortation to trust in the LORD because the LORD offers help and protection. In what ways have you experienced God’s help and protection? Verses 12 and 13 serve as a response to verses 9-11. How do these verses express trust in the LORD?

Pray

To you alone, O LORD, I give glory because of your constant love and faithfulness. I place my trust in you, and I will praise you and give you thanks now and forever. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 116: Someone saved from death praises God.