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, Lord, not to us, but to you all glory should be given, because of your trustworthy love and faithfulness.

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 heathen nations ask, “Where is your God?”

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

Our God is in heaven, and he does whatever he wants.

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

Their idols are just things of silver and gold made by human hands.

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

They have mouths, but can't speak. They have eyes, but can't see.

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

They have ears, but can't hear. They have noses, but can't 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!

They have hands, but can't feel. They have feet, but can't walk. No sound comes from their throats.

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 idols become just like them, and so does 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 the Lord! He is the one who helps you and protects you.

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

Descendants of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is the one who helps you and protects you.

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

Those who honor the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is the one who helps you and protects you.

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

The Lord keeps us in mind and will be good to us. He will bless Israel, he will bless the descendants 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!]

The Lord will bless all those who worship him, whoever they are.

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

May the Lord be good to you, you and your children.

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

May you be blessed by the Lord 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 the Lord, but he has given the earth to humankind.

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 the Lord, those who have gone down into the silence of the grave.

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

But we the living will always praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!