Psa 115:9 | KingComments | STEP | In these verses there is a threefold call to trust in the LORD. There is a call to 1. the covenant people ( ), 2. the chosen priests ( ) and 3. the faithful few who make up the remnant ( ). This call also comes to us. These three groups are mentioned again in , there as objects of the LORD’s blessing. You cannot trust idols because they cannot do anything at all. It is extremely stupid and also a great sin against God (cf. ). Moses prophesied that if the people disobeyed, they would be taken out of the land and serve idols in foreign lands ( ). Opposite the dead idols is the living God. He has revealed Himself as the God Who lives and is present for His people. Moses prophesied that they would seek the LORD in foreign lands and find Him ( ). In Him you can trust fully ( ). This is then also said to Israel (cf. ). That He is “their help” means that He supports them and helps them to go their way. He is also “their shield”, meaning that He protects them while He helps them. What more does a needy, powerless people need? It has everything in Him. Next, the “house of Aaron” is called to trust in the LORD ( ). The call comes to them because they too have fallen into idolatry (cf. ; ). They are the priests and lead Israel in their worship of the LORD. They, too, have in the LORD “their help and their shield”. True priestly service can only happen with the support and protection of the LORD. Finally, each “who fears the LORD” (cf. ) is called to trust in the LORD ( ). Here it is each individually, whereas in it is Israel as a people and in the priestly family (cf. ). Fearing the LORD is a characteristic that must be present in every member of God’s people and every member of the priestly family. Belonging to a privileged people and family is never enough. There must be a personal relationship with God (cf. ). Each one then personally experiences that the LORD is his help and his shield. “You who fear the LORD” also applies to all outside Israel who fear the LORD. They may know that the LORD is “their help and their shield”.

‏ Psalms 115:9

The LORD Is a Help and a Shield

In these verses there is a threefold call to trust in the LORD. There is a call to

1. the covenant people (Psa 115:9),

2. the chosen priests (Psa 115:10) and

3. the faithful few who make up the remnant (Psa 115:11).

This call also comes to us.

These three groups are mentioned again in Psa 115:12-13, there as objects of the LORD’s blessing.

You cannot trust idols because they cannot do anything at all. It is extremely stupid and also a great sin against God (cf. Hos 4:17). Moses prophesied that if the people disobeyed, they would be taken out of the land and serve idols in foreign lands (Deu 4:25-28).

Opposite the dead idols is the living God. He has revealed Himself as the God Who lives and is present for His people. Moses prophesied that they would seek the LORD in foreign lands and find Him (Deu 4:29). In Him you can trust fully (Psa 115:9). This is then also said to Israel (cf. Hos 14:8a). That He is “their help” means that He supports them and helps them to go their way. He is also “their shield”, meaning that He protects them while He helps them. What more does a needy, powerless people need? It has everything in Him.

Next, the “house of Aaron” is called to trust in the LORD (Psa 115:10). The call comes to them because they too have fallen into idolatry (cf. Exo 32:1-5; Eze 22:26). They are the priests and lead Israel in their worship of the LORD. They, too, have in the LORD “their help and their shield”. True priestly service can only happen with the support and protection of the LORD.

Finally, each “who fears the LORD” (cf. Psa 112:1) is called to trust in the LORD (Psa 115:11). Here it is each individually, whereas in Psa 115:9 it is Israel as a people and in Psa 115:10 the priestly family (cf. Psa 118:2-4 ; Psa 135:19-20). Fearing the LORD is a characteristic that must be present in every member of God’s people and every member of the priestly family.

Belonging to a privileged people and family is never enough. There must be a personal relationship with God (cf. Jn 1:12). Each one then personally experiences that the LORD is his help and his shield. “You who fear the LORD” also applies to all outside Israel who fear the LORD. They may know that the LORD is “their help and their shield”.