Psalms 115

Cross-references in this chapter

Where this passage connects across Scripture — each link typed and reasoned, part of the AIT Bible Nexus Chart.

The Living God and Lifeless Idols

• parallel Psalms 135:15 — The same idol polemic describing silver-and-gold idols with mouths, eyes, and ears that do not function.
• parallel Psalms 135:18 — Those who make idols become like them—identical conclusion in both idol polemics.
• parallel Psalms 135:1 — Near-verbatim satire of idols of silver and gold with mouths that cannot speak and eyes that cannot see, and the makers becoming like them.
• echoed in Daniel 5:1 — The list of idols of gold, silver, wood and stone that cannot see or hear echoes the psalm's polemic against idols that have mouths but do not speak and eyes but do not see.
• allusion Deuteronomy 4:28 — Idols described as unable to see, hear, eat, or smell, matching the sensory list here.
• echoed in Habakkuk 2:6 — Idols of silver and gold that cannot speak and have no breath.
• allusion Joel 2:17 — The nations' taunt 'Where is their God?' echoes the same phrase used in prophetic lament and prayer.
• allusion Psalms 42:3 — The taunt of the nations, 'Where is their God?', is a recurring mocking phrase directed at the faithful.
• allusion Psalms 135:6 — Near-identical declaration that God does whatever he pleases in heaven and earth.
• echoed in Revelation 9:13 — Idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood which cannot see, hear, or walk echoes the psalm's mockery of idols that cannot see or hear.
• thematic 2 Kings 19:14 — Hezekiah's prayer scorns pagan idols as 'the work of human hands, wood and stone,' echoing the psalm's mockery of idols made by human hands.
• thematic Isaiah 44:9 — Extended polemic against idols as powerless works of human hands who cannot see or perceive.
• thematic Isaiah 46:5 — Both describe idols that must be carried, cannot move, and cannot answer or save those who cry to them.
• thematic Jeremiah 10:1 — Both mock idols as unable to speak, walk, or act — lifeless works of human hands.

Trust in Yahweh, Your Help

• parallel Psalms 118:2 — Same threefold call to Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Yahweh.
• parallel Psalms 135:1 — Parallel summons of house of Israel, house of Aaron, and those who fear Yahweh to bless/trust him.
• allusion Psalms 33:20 — Yahweh described as help and shield of those who trust him.
• allusion Psalms 121:2 — Same title of Yahweh as maker of heaven and earth used as ground of confidence.
• thematic Genesis 1:1 — Yahweh titled 'maker of heaven and earth,' echoing the creation account.
• thematic Genesis 1:28 — The earth given to humankind reflects the creation mandate granting humanity dominion over the earth.
• thematic Isaiah 38:18 — Hezekiah's declaration that the dead cannot praise God parallels this verse's theme.
• thematic Isaiah 38:9 — Both affirm that the dead do not praise Yahweh but only the living do.
• thematic Psalms 6:5 — The dead cannot praise God, expressing the same view that praise belongs to the living.
• thematic Psalms 88:10 — Shared motif that the dead in silence cannot praise or declare God's faithfulness.