Psalms 115:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 115:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
Psalms 115:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 115

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But our God is in the heavens, etc.] His habitation is in the heavens, as the Targum; the Septuagint and Arabic versions add, “and in earth”: he is in both, and fills both with his presence; and cannot be contained in either. He is the Maker and Possessor of heaven and earth; the one is his throne, and the other is his footstool: he dwells in the highest heaven, and overlooks all persons and things on earth, and overrules all; he is higher than the highest, and his kingdom ruleth over all. He hath done whatsoever he pleased; in creation, in providence, and in grace: he hath made what creatures he pleased, and for his pleasure; and he does according to his will, and after the counsel of it,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But our God is in the heavens - The Septuagint adds, “and in the earth.” This is not, however, in the Hebrew. The idea is, Our God really exists. He is the true God. He reigns in heaven. His plans are such as are and should be formed in heaven: lofty, vast, incomprehensible. But he is still our God; our Ruler; our Protector. He is not a god of earth - whose origin is earth - who dwells on earth alone - like the idols of the pagan; but the whole vast universe is under his control. He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased - And, therefore, what has been done is right, and we should be submissive to it. He is a sovereign God; and mysterious as are his doings, and much as there seems to be…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But our: Psa 2:4, Psa 68:4, Psa 123:1; Ch1 16:25; Mat 6:9 he hath: Psa 135:6; Isa 46:10; Dan 4:35; Rom 9:19; Eph 1:11 Psalms 115:4”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The poet, with "And our God," in the name of Israel opposes the scornful question of the heathen by the believingly joyous confession of the exaltation of Jahve above the false gods. Israel's God is in the heavens, and is therefore supramundane in nature and life, and the absolutely unlimited One, who is able to do all things with a freedom that is conditioned only by Himself: quod vult, valet ( Psa 115:3 = Psa 135:6, Wisd. 12:18, and frequently). The carved gods (עצב, from עצב, cogn. חצב, קצב) of the heathen, on the contrary, are dead images, which are devoid of all life, even of the sensuous life the outward organs of which are imagined upon them. It cannot be proved with Ecc 5:16 that…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification