Psalm 115 - A Glimpse of God

April 15, 2026

A Glimpse of God #

Psalm 115

Introduction

We have a great Psalm before us. It seems to be straightforward. There is a lot of lessons that could be pulled from this Psalm. Each of my points could be fully explored more than we have time for in one evening.

I. A Picture of God #

A. Glorify God (1) #

i. Don’t lift up yourself! “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us” #

  • Many people are taught to exalt themself, so others know who they are.
  • That flies in the face of God’s Word

ii. God is to be glorified “Unto thy name give glory” #

iii. For Mercy - #

  • The mercy of God, the saved, born again believer is not getting what he deserves.

    • Not because of our works

Titus 3:5 — Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

iv. For Truth #

  • Thank the Lord of His truth that he has preserved!

B. Heathen view (2) #

i. Heathen have idols… can see them #

ii. God is invisible, cannot be seen. #

  • While there are evidences of God in creation, we as believers in God must communicate the blessings and reality of God.

C. Absolute Authority of God (3) #

i. No higher authority #

ii. God has no boss #

II. Powerlessness of Idols (4-8) #

A. Man made (4) #

  • How does a man make an idol, or buy it, and then worship it
  • That has always stumped me.
  • Idols are usually images made

Ex. 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Ex. 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

B. Mouths (5) #

  • Idols cannot speak

  • God speaks to us through his Word!

    • His voice was heard audibly
    • Adam heard God’s voice in the garden of Eden
    • Moses heard God’s voice when he called him out of the burning bush
    • Elijah in the mount, “still small voice”
    • Paul – on that Damascus road

C. Eyes (5) #

  • Idols cannot see
  • God sees!

Prov. 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

D. Ears (6) #

  • God hears our prayers!

Psalm 6:9 — The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

E. Nose (6) #

2 Samuel 22:7–10 —7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. 8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. 9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

F. Hands (7) #

Isaiah 41:10 —10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

G. Feet (7) #

Nah. 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

H. Foolish to trust in a man made object (8) #

III. Precept (9-11) #

  • Precept – any commandment or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.

A. Audience (9-11) #

i. House of Israel (9) #

ii. House of Aaron (10) #

iii. Ye that Fear the Lord (11) #

  • Whosoever will…

B. Action – Trust (9-11) #

i. In Salvation #

ii. In life #

C. Application (9-11) #

i. He is your help! #

  • God desires to help you!
  • People often only think of God as a judge, and while that is one of his offices, it is not his only office… he is a Father to those who trust Jesus.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Rom. 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

ii. He is your Shield (Protection, shelter) #

D. Acceptance in the Trust (12-15) #

i. “Been mindful of us” – There are 8 Billion people… and God is mindful of you! #

    • If President Donald Trump, Elon Musk (or some notable person) walked in here, and knew your name… You would be shocked…!
    • The God of the Universe, that created everything, is mindful of you!

Matthew 10:29–31 —29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

ii. Blesses us! (12-15) #

    • God blesses you spiritually, physically (health), sometimes with wealth or possessions

    • Both small and great

      • You may not be well known, but you are known to God! – small
      • Great – many people may know your name, but they don’t really know you… but God knows you!

IV. The Praise (16-18) #

A. God owns it all! (16) #

i. Mark 12 – the parable of the vineyard being lent out #

ii. God owns it all, but has given us a lot to work with. #

iii. Be a good steward with what God has given you to work with. #

B. Dead cannot Praise the Lord (17) #

  • Not talking of condemnation, but rather fact… a dead man doesn’t continue to vocally glorify God on this earth.
  • His voice is cut off, his time is over.

i. Glorify God while you are alive! #

C. Life after death (18) #

  • Praise does take place in Heaven!
Tags: Psalms Outlines Preaching Praise Idolatry Idols Trust Faith Believe