1.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Not. Hebrew. l'o (not 'al). Supply Ellipsis thus:"Not to us LORD, not to us [belongeth glory] but to Thy name give the glory".
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
and. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.
2.
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
heathen = nations.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
3.
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
silver and gold. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is made from them. Compare Psalms 135:15-19 .
work. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read plural, "works".
men's. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
5.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
mouths = a mouth (singular)
6.
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
Noses = a nose (singular)
7.
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
speak = make a sound.
8.
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
So is. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And [so is]".
trusteth = confldeth. Hebrew. batah . App-69 .
9.
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Israel. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "house of Israel". See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 46:27 , Genesis 46:28 .
He is their help, &c. Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ), in verses: Psalms 115:9 , Psalms 115:11 .
shield. See note on Psalms 84:9 .
10.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11.
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12.
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless us; He will bless. Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
the house of Israel. Compare Psalms 135:19 . See note on Exodus 16:31 .
13.
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
He will bless. Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), taken with the last line of Psalms 115:12 .
fear = revere.
small and great. Both plural. Figure of speech Syntheton. App-6 .
and = with.
14.
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
children = sons.
15.
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16.
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17.
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .
18.
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Praise THE LORD. Hebrew Hallelu-Jah.