Psalms 135:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 135:15 mean?

Psalms 135:15 points out that the idols worshiped by other nations are just objects made from silver and gold, created by human hands. The verse highlights that these so-called gods are not divine but are simply man-made things.

The writer of this psalm is addressing the people of Israel, contrasting their God with the idols of surrounding nations. In the context of the psalm, this line serves to show the emptiness of idol worship and to remind listeners that the God of Israel is living and powerful, unlike the lifeless statues valued by others.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 135:15

• "idols" (עֲצַבִּים, atsabbim): This word refers to images or statues set up as gods. It often carries the sense of something shaped or fashioned, hinting at their artificial nature.
• "heathen" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This term means "nations" or "peoples" and in this context points to non-Israelite groups who worship other gods.
• "work" (מַעֲשֵׂה, ma'aseh): This word means "work" or "deed" and emphasizes that these idols are products of human effort, not divine origin.
• "men" (אָדָם, adam): This is the general word for "human" or "man," underlining that these objects are not supernatural but are made by ordinary people.

Why Psalms 135:15 matters

• This verse clears up any confusion about the nature of idols by stressing that they are not supernatural beings but simply objects crafted by people.
• It emphasizes the contrast between the living God of Israel and the powerless idols of other nations, a theme that runs through the whole psalm.
• By pointing out the human origin of idols, the verse invites readers to question the value and power of anything made by human hands compared to the Creator.