Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 6: Psalms 102–119:32

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Psalm 115 with Augustine – The Folly of Idol Worship Our God is in heaven (v. 3). Not in the heavens, where people see the sun and moon, works of God which they adore, but “in heaven above,” which surpasses all heavenly and earthly bodies. Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands (v. 4). That is, although we cannot display our God to human eyes, we should recognize him through his works. Do not be seduced by your pride, because you can point to the objects of your worship—bronze, wood, and clay idols. As it says in Scripture concerning idol worshippers, “They say to wood, “You are my father,” and to stone, “You gave me birth” (Jer 2:27). But do not think that someone who speaks to gold and silver rather than to wood or stone is wiser. Both employ human hands to create a false god out of that material which a true God created. For they have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats (vv. 5–7). Even their artist surpasses them, since he has the ability of shaping them by the motion of his arms, though you would be ashamed to worship the artist. You surpass them, though you have not made them, since you do what they cannot. Even a beast surpasses them, for they see, and hear, and smell, and walk, and some even feel with their hands. Even the dead surpass a god who neither lives nor has lived. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them (v. 8). But you who fear him, trust in the LORD (v. 11).