Psalm 115 - Not unto us, O Yahweh
Channel: Dean Montgomery
Date: 2020-05-01

I want to share all of the words from Psalm 115.
Played on a kinore (lyre)  which is a style of instrument that dates back to the time when the Psalm was written.

Psalm 115 structure
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_5huc9BLWdd_CNHRG76ctYdlqmRneD-uw9D4eu8I2mY/edit?usp=sharing

Tried to relate the imagery to the lyrics of the Psalm:
* Photos from Israel.
* Photos from Archaeology.
* Artwork based on God's word.
* Bible camp photos.

This was for my boys sung at bedtime since they were toddlers.  This Psalm is just as applicable today, even more so.  There are many idols around us, crafted out of metals like silver and gold.  Man's hands and minds have crafted devices that stream images into our minds.  Images of fantasy and make-believe fiction which are no different today as were in the day the Psalm was written.   Individuals expend effort and time creating an "image" for themselves, for their business, for their corporations, for their nation.  Images are now streamed and revenue pours in as each new american idol is released.  Those that indulge in these idols find us strange who worship the God who is in the heavens.

There are blessings and treasures hidden when we set our minds to understand God's works with:
1) blessing the house of Israel  - building them up, blessing their seed/children as the stars of heaven, repeatedly returning them back to their land Ezekiel 36-38.  Back from Egypt, back from Babylon,  back from all captivities, even in 1948 back from being trodden down by the nations.
2) blessing the house of Aaron - a high priest, a mediator between God and men. Ezekiel 40-48.
3) blessing those who fear Yahweh - like Ruth the Moabite, she feared Yahweh and left the idols of her nation to be joined with the God of Israel. Ruth, Ezekiel 37:24-28

Today it is wonderful to watch Yahweh bless Israel, to watch Yahweh give Israel increase. Seeing Israel's children hold a flag with a star reminds us of the promise God made to Abraham:

"blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants/seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Genesis 22:17-18

Let's us not give glory to idols, or glory to ourselves, but rather give glory to Yahweh:

"Not to us, O Yahweh, not to us,
But to your Name be the glory!"

https://www.chiasmusxchange.com/2017/03/06/psalm-115/

Good passages to read along side Psalm 115.
 * Psalm 135
 * Isaiah 44
 * The life of Hezekiah ( in Kings, Chronicles and Isaiah )
------
2 Chronicles 32 Sennacherib vs Yahweh & Hezekiah
Sennacherib: “...Were the gods of the nations of those lands in any way able to deliver their lands out of my hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand?” V13-14

In 2 Chronicles 30 and 31 Hezekiah sends runners and calls the “House of Israel” to come to Passover, removes the idols, and prepares the “House of Aaron”.  The blessing to them and their children - they are not cut off by Assyria but live and prosper.

“the dead to no praise Yah...”  - “Then the Yahweh sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there.” 32:21

There are many more similarities between Hezekiah's day and Psalm 115.
----

* 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat’s time may also fit Psalm 115.