1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your kindness’ and faithfulness’ sake. Why should the heathen say, “Where is now their God?”
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your Name give the praise" [Psalm 115:1]. For that grace of the water that gushed from the rock ("now that rock was Christ" [1 Corinthians 10:4]), was not given on the score of works that had gone before, but of His mercy "that justifies the ungodly." [Romans 4:5] For "Christ died for sinners," that men might not seek any glory of the…
3 Our God he is in heaven; whatever he wishes, he does.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "As for our God, He is in heaven above" (ver. 3). Not in heaven, where they see the sun and moon, works of God which they adore, but "in heaven above," which overpasseth all heavenly and earthly bodies. Nor is our God in heaven in such a sense, as to dread a fall that should deprive Him of His throne, if heaven were withdrawn from under Him.
Fulgentius of Ruspe · AD 533 Therefore, there is no falseness in God's promises because for the all-powerful there is no problem about doing things. And so the effects of the will are never lacking because the will itself is nothing other than power.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
Athanasius of Alexandria · AD 373 But this all inspired Scripture also teaches more plainly and with more authority, so that we in our turn write boldly to you as we do, and you, if you refer to Scripture, will be able to verify what we say. For an argument when confirmed by higher authority is irresistibly proved.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Their idols," he saith, "are silver and gold, even the work of men's hands" (ver. 4). That is, although we cannot display our God to your carnal eyes, whom ye ought to recognise through his works; yet be not seduced by your vain pretences, because ye can point with the finger to, the objects of your worship.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "For they have mouths, and speak not: eyes have they, and see not" (ver. 5). "They have ears, and hear not: noses have they, and smell not" (ver. 6). "They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, and walk not; neither cry they through their throat" (ver. 7).
Philoxenus of Mabbug · AD 523 Those who had possessions He freed from the bondage of senseless stuff, lest while they served it they should become servers of idols, concerning which it is written, "They have no breath in their mouth, and although they have eyes, and ears, and hands, they see not, and hear not, and work not." And for this reason the Apostle Paul called the love of mammon "idolatry," for as t…
6 They have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk: no sound comes from their throats.
8 Their makers become like them, so do all who trust in them.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 The result that ensues is that described in the next verse: "They that make them are like them, and so are all such as put their trust in them" [Psalm 115:8]. Let them therefore see with open eyes, and worship with shut and dead understandings, idols that neither see nor live.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "But the house of Israel has hoped in the Lord" [Psalm 115:9]. "For hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord, mindful of us, will bless us: he will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 For we do not by our deservings prevent the mercy of God; but, "The Lord has been mindful of us, and has blessed us. He has blessed the house of Israel, He has blessed the house of Aaron" [Psalm 115:12]. But in blessing both of these, "He has blessed all that fear the Lord" [Psalm 115:13]. Do you ask, who are meant by both of these?
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small and the great together.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 So then, let us celebrate their feasts, as indeed we are doing, with the utmost devotion, soberly cheerful, gathered in a holy assembly, thinking faithful thoughts, confidently proclaiming their sanctity. It is no small part of imitation to rejoice together in the virtues of those who are better than we are.
14 May the Lord add to your numbers to you and to your children.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 For the great ones, of the house of Aaron, have said, "May the Lord increase you more and more, you and your children" [Psalm 115:14]. And thus it has happened.
15 Blessed be you of the Lord, creator of heaven and earth.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 Therefore the Prophet says unto these great and small, the mountains and the little hills, the rams and the young sheep, what follows: "You are the blessed of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" [Psalm 115:15].
16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth has he given to people.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 Rightly, therefore, does he who is intent on cleansing our heart follow up what He has said with a precept, where He says: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor…
17 The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor those who go down into silence.
Athanasius of Alexandria · AD 373 The festival of Easter does not consist in pleasant conversation at meals, or splendor of clothing or days of leisure but in the acknowledgment of God and the offering of thanksgiving and of praise to him.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 ...But nevertheless since they derive the truth and richness of wisdom, not from man nor through man, but through God Himself, they have received little ones who shall be heaven, that they may know that they are heaven of heaven; as yet however earth, unto which they say, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." For to those very sons of men whom He made he…
18 But we will bless the Lord from now and for evermore. Hallelujah.