They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
PSALMS 115:6KJVWhat does Psalms 115:6 mean?
Psalms 115:6 says that idols have ears but cannot hear and noses but cannot smell, showing that these man-made gods are lifeless and powerless. The verse highlights the emptiness of worshipping things that look like they have senses but cannot actually perceive anything.
In this psalm, the writer is speaking to the people of Israel, contrasting the living God with the idols of other nations. The verse uses vivid, physical language to point out how idols may appear human-like, but they lack real abilities. This is part of a larger argument that only the LORD is truly alive and worthy of trust.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 115:6
- אֹזְנַיִם (ʾoznayyim, "ears") and שָׁמֵעַ (shamaʿ, "hear"): The verse uses the word for ears and the verb for hearing to stress that idols have the appearance of being able to listen, but they cannot actually respond or understand.
- אַף (ʾaf, "nose") and רִיחַ (riaḥ, "smell"): The word for nose and the verb for smelling show that idols may have features that look real, but they are unable to sense or react to anything, emphasizing their total lack of life.
Why Psalms 115:6 matters
- This verse clears up any confusion about the power or reality of idols by showing that, despite their human-like features, they are completely unable to act or sense.
- The verse emphasizes the difference between the living God and lifeless idols, making the case for why Israel should trust in the LORD alone.
- In the context of the psalm, this detail strengthens the argument that worshipping idols is pointless, because they cannot help or respond to those who pray to them.