Amplified Bible
Psalms 115:17
17The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor do any who go down into silence;
Psalms 115:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
- New International Version (NIV)It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence;
- English Standard Version (ESV)The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence.
Context of Psalms 115:17
15May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 16The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor do any who go down into silence; 18But as for us, we will bless and affectionately and gratefully praise the Lord From this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Read all of Psalms 115Psalms 115:17 word by word
לֹ֣א הַ֭מֵּתִים יְהַֽלְלוּ־יָ֑הּ וְ֝לֹ֗א כָּל־יֹרְדֵ֥י דוּמָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 115:17
- Psalms 6:5For in death there is no mention of You; In Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) who will praise You and give You thanks?
- Psalms 30:9“What profit is there in my blood (death), if I go down to the pit (grave)? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness [to man]?
- Psalms 88:10Will You perform wonders for the dead? Shall the departed spirits arise and praise You? Selah.
- Isaiah 38:18For Sheol cannot praise or thank You, Death cannot praise You and rejoice in You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
- Psalms 31:17Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on You; Let the wicked (godless) be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).
- 1 Samuel 2:9He guards the feet of His godly (faithful) ones, But the wicked ones are silenced and perish in darkness; For a man shall not prevail by might.
Commentaries on Psalms 115:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The dead praise not the Lord - המתים hammethim, those dead men who worshipped as gods dumb idols, dying in their sins, worship not Jehovah; nor can any of those who go down into silence praise thee: earth is the place in which to praise the Lord for his mercies, and get a preparation for his glory.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The dead praise not the Lord - The meaning of this is, that as those who are dead cannot praise God, or cannot worship him, this should be done while we are in the land of the living. This opportunity, like all other opportunities, will be cut off in the grave, and hence, we should be faithful in this duty, and should avail ourselves of this privilege, while life lasts. In regard to the sentiment here expressed, and the grounds on which that sentiment was…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-18Verses 9-18 It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that trust in him. Wherever there is right fear of God, there may be cheerful faith in him; those who reverence his word, may rely upon it. He is ever found faithful. The greatest need his blessing, and it shall not be denied to the meanest that fear him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual blessings…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-18The highest heavens belong to the LORD: God's exaltation starts in heaven (Psalm 113:4), far above the gods of other nations. The earth also belongs to him (Psalm 47:9; 95:4). The dead cannot participate in God’s blessings. The living praise God in thanksgiving for his blessings (Psalm 79:13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1715-17. They were not only God's peculiar people, but as living inhabitants of earth, assigned the work of His praise as monuments of divine power, wisdom, and goodness.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 115:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 115
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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