Psalms 115

1 Yahweh, people should praise [only] you [MTY]; they must praise you, not us, because you faithfully love us and always do what you have promised to do.

Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name bring honor, for your covenant faithfulness and for your trustworthiness.

2 It is not right that [RHQ] [other] people-groups should say about us, “[They claim that] their God [is very powerful], but [if that is true], why does he not [help them]?”

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

3 Our God is in heaven, and he does whatever he wants to!

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever he pleases.

4 [But] their idols are only [statues made of] silver and gold, things that humans have made.

The nations' idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

5 Their idols have mouths, but they cannot say [anything]; they have eyes, but they cannot see [anything].

Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;

6 They have ears, but they cannot hear [anything]; they have noses, but they cannot smell [anything].

they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell.

7 They have hands, but they cannot feel [anything]; they have feet, but they cannot walk, and they have throats but cannot [even] make any sounds!

Those idols have hands, but do not feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; nor do they speak from their mouths.

8 The people who make those idols are [as powerless] as those idols, and those who trust in those idols [can accomplish nothing], just like their idols!

Those who make them are like them, as is everyone who trusts in them.

9 You, [my fellow] Israeli people, trust in Yahweh! He is the one who helps you and [protects you like] [MET] a shield.

Israel, trust in Yahweh; he is your help and shield.

10 You priests [MTY], trust in Yahweh! He is the one who helps you and [protects you like] [MET] a shield.

House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh; he is your help and shield.

11 [All] you who revere Yahweh, trust in him! He is the one who helps you and [protects you like] [MET] a shield.

You who honor Yahweh, trust in him; he is your help and shield.

12 Yahweh has not forgotten us; he will bless us Israeli people [MTY]! He will bless the priests,

Yahweh takes notice of us and will bless us; he will bless the family of Israel; he will bless the family of Aaron.

13 and he will bless [all] those who revere him; he will bless important [people] and people [who are considered to be] unimportant, [everyone!]

He will bless those who honor him, both young and old.

14 I desire that Yahweh will give many children to you [my fellow-Israeli people], and to your descendants.

May Yahweh increase your numbers more and more, yours and your descendants'.

15 I desire that Yahweh, the one who made heaven and the earth, will bless [all of] you!

May you be blessed by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

16 The [highest] heavens belong to Yahweh, but he gave [everything that is on] the earth to [us] people.

The heavens belong to Yahweh; but the earth he has given to mankind.

17 Dead [people] are not [able to] praise Yahweh; when they descend into the place where dead people are, they are unable to speak and cannot praise him.

The dead do not praise Yahweh, nor do any who go down into silence;

18 But we [who are alive] will thank/praise him, now and forever. Praise Yahweh!

But we will bless Yahweh now and forevermore. Praise Yahweh.