Non Nobis Domine
The psalm begins with the famous phrase, “not to us, Oh Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” The people of God are calling God to act in a mighty way to deliver them in such a way as to bring glory upon Himself. They are asking God to act to magnify His reputation because His reputation is at stake (115:1-3). Brethren, that should be the continual goal of the people of God. We should be able to say in every circumstance, “not to me, but to Your name receive glory.”
The God of Israel is sovereign, and does exactly as He pleases (115:3). He has the power to fulfill His will; unlike the vain idols of the nations. They may have mouths, eyes, ears, noses, hands, and feet; yet they cannot interact with people or even make a sound (115:4-7). Brethren, idolatry reverses the created order, for men try to make gods in their own image. Idolaters become like the very things that they worship (115:8). People who trust in idols become deaf, dumb, degraded, and like their idols, in the end destined for destruction.
In contrast to the nation’s trusting in idols, God’s people trust in Him (115:9-11). They are able to see the blessings of the Lord as they wait and trust in Him (115:12-15). The blessings to the nation of Israel were tied covenantally (Deut 28-29) to their faithful obedience to YHWH. Brethren, we await a future inheritance that is imperishable, undefined, unfading, and reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4).
The psalm ends with a call for God’s people to praise God forever. The idolatrous people of the earth are spiritually dead, and will not praise the Lord. Brethren, but as for us we will glorify His name forever (115:16-18).