Psalms 115:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 115:15 mean?

Psalms 115:15 says that those being addressed are blessed by the LORD, who is the Creator of heaven and earth. This verse is a statement of encouragement, reminding the people that their blessing comes from the one true God who made everything.

In the setting of Psalms 115, the psalmist is speaking to the people of Israel, encouraging them after describing the emptiness of idols and the greatness of God. The verse emphasizes that their well-being and favor come from the LORD (the personal name for God in Hebrew), not from powerless idols. It reassures the listeners that their God is not only personal but also the maker of all things, highlighting His unmatched power and authority.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 115:15

• בָּרוּךְ (barukh, “blessed”): This word often means to be favored or to have good spoken over you. Here, it highlights that the people are recipients of God’s favor, not just in a general sense, but as an ongoing reality.
• יְהוָה (YHWH, “LORD”): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used to stress God’s covenant relationship with Israel. The use of this name underlines that their blessing is not from an unknown or distant deity, but from their own God.
• עָשָׂה (asah, “made”): This verb means to make or to do. By using this word, the verse points out that the LORD is the actual Creator, in contrast to idols that cannot create or act.
• שָׁמַיִם (shamayim, “heaven”) and אֶרֶץ (erets, “earth”): These words together mean all of creation. The verse stresses that the LORD’s power and blessing cover everything, since He is the maker of all.

Why Psalms 115:15 matters

• Psalms 115:15 clarifies that blessing comes from the LORD alone, not from idols or other sources, which is a major theme in the surrounding verses.
• The verse connects God’s ability to bless with His role as Creator, showing that His power is not limited or local but extends over all creation.
• By reminding the people of God’s identity and power, the verse offers comfort and confidence, especially in times when they might feel surrounded by nations with other gods.