New Living Translation
Psalms 115:17
17The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.
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 by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 16The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity. The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave. 18But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord!
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 the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?
- Psalms 30:9“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?
- Psalms 88:10Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Interlude
- Isaiah 38:18For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
- Psalms 31:17Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.
- 1 Samuel 2:9“He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.
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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